A farmer, Sunday Jackson, who was sentenced to death by the Supreme Court for killing a herder in self-defence, has been granted pardon by Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri.
Community leaders and the victim’s family have pleaded with the state governor to exercise his prerogative of mercy to pardon Jackson.
Jackson was pardoned alongside two others, and the remission of the remainder of the sentences of five others was also approved by the Governor.
The governor signed the pardon on Monday, December 22, 2025 granting the clemency under Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution.
Jackson was a local farmer in Don village in Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Jackson, who spent over a decade in custody, was attacked by the herder, Bawuro, on his farm in 2015, leading to the fatal altercation.
Bawuro had ushered his cows onto Jackson’s farm and the farmer chased them off.
Bawuro then turned on Jackson, wielding a knife.
Jackson attempted to run. However, Bawuro caught up with him and stabbed him thrice.
A fight ensued during which Jackson managed to seize the knife and stabbed the herder in the throat.
In a ruling in 2021, an Adamawa high court sentenced Jackson to death for the killing, ruling that he had the opportunity to escape rather than stab his attacker.
On March 7, 2025, the supreme court upheld the ruling of the high court.
His case sparked national debate over self-defense rights and justice.
US Congressman Riley M. Moore, had earlier called on the Nigerian government to pardon Jackson.
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, see the verdict as an assertion of their rights and a response to what they perceive as targeted attacks against their members in various communities
