Nigerian farmer, Sunday Jackson, who was sentenced to death by an Adamawa State High Court, has been released after he was pardoned by the state governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
Jackson, from Dong community in Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, regained his freedom after spending about 10 years on death row.
He was sentenced to death in 2021 for killing a Fulani herder, Buba Bawuro, during a violent confrontation on his farmland.
The incident happened when the herder allegedly allowed his cattle to graze on Jackson’s crops. A dispute followed, during which Bawuro was said to have attacked Jackson with a knife.
Although injured, Jackson reportedly overpowered the herder, seized the knife and stabbed him. Bawuro later died from the injuries.
Jackson told the court that he acted in self-defence. However, the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola, presided over by Justice Fatima Ahmed Tafida, ruled that Jackson could have fled after disarming his attacker.
The court sentenced him to death under Section 211 of the Penal Code.
Following his release, confirmation emerged that Governor Fintiri approved a state pardon for Jackson, bringing an end to his death sentence and years of incarceration.
Reacting to the development, A United States congressman, Riley Moore in a post on his X account on Wednesday, describing it as a moment of relief and gratitude.
“Sunday Jackson is FREE. Thanks be to God! More to come soon!” the US lawmaker wrote.
Moore said he had consistently raised the case during congressional hearings, media engagements and meetings with senior Nigerian officials in the United States and Nigeria.
“Sunday Jackson is free. After more than a decade in prison serving a death sentence for defending himself, Sunday Jackson has been pardoned,” Moore said.
He described Jackson as a Christian farmer who was attacked and forced to defend himself.
“Sunday is a Christian farmer who, like countless other Christians in Nigeria, was brutally attacked. Sunday fought back in self-defence, killing his attacker. I have been advocating for Sunday’s release both in public and in private meetings, including during my recent Congressional Delegation visit to Nigeria,” he added.
The congressman said the pardon showed improving cooperation between Nigeria and the United States and praised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for engaging with US concerns.
“There is much more to do, but I continue to see positive steps that my concerns and the concerns of President Trump are being taken seriously by the Nigerian government,” Moore said.
He also called on Nigerian authorities to ensure Jackson’s safety following his release.
“The Nigerian government at the federal and state level must ensure Sunday’s safety during and after his release,” he said.
Moore added that Jackson’s freedom was timely, noting that he would now be able to reunite with his family during the Christmas season.
“Our Lord came to set the captives free, and now Sunday will be able to celebrate Christmas with his family. Thanks be to God,” he said.
The release of Jackson has drawn local and international attention, reopening conversations around self-defence, justice and farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria.
