A farmer, Sunday Jackson, sentenced to death by the Supreme Court for killing a herder in self-defense, has been granted pardon by Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri.
International human rights groups, community leaders and the victim’s family have pleaded with the State Governor to exercise his prerogative of mercy to pardon Jackson.
The Governor signed the pardon on Monday, granting the clemency under Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution.
Jackson, who spent over a decade in custody, was attacked on his farm in 2015, leading to the fatal altercation. His case sparked national debate over self-defense rights and justice.
Jackson is a local farmer in Don village in Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
His supporters have hailed the Governor’s decision as a victory for mercy and reconciliation.
Earlier, Fulani groups had hailed the Supreme Court judgment that sentenced Jackson to death by hanging for the killing their kinsman.
The group, along with other Fulani indigenes, sees the verdict as an assertion of their rights and a response to what they perceive as targeted attacks against their members in various communities.
The full statement by Humwashi Wonosikou, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Fintiri reads: “Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri CON, has granted pardon to Sunday Jackson who was sentenced to death. Jackson who is in Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre has been pardoned alongside Joseph Eugene from the Medium Security Custodial Centre Yola new and Maxwell Ibrahim serving at the Medium Security Custodial Center in Kaduna.
“The pardon is in commemoration of Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“Others who had the reminder of their sentences remitted whole include Joshua James Audo, Adamu Ibrahim, Mohammed Abubakar, Ibrahim Usman and Saidu Abubakar serving at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Numan and Medium Security Custodial Centre, Jada.
“Governor Fintiri said the inmates had demonstrated significant improvement in their behaviour and conduct.
“Therefore, in the exercise of my prerogative of mercy as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in line with the recommendations of the Adamawa State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, I have granted pardon to three persons and directed the remission of the reminder of the sentences of five others who have served various jail terms and have significantly demonstrated good conduct over the years.”