Adamawa Gov Pardons Farmer, Sunday Jackson, after 11 Years on Death Row

ByEditor

Dec 24, 2025 #Adamawa death row pardon, #Adamawa State clemency, #farmer herder conflict Nigeria, #Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, #human rights Nigeria, #Nigeria capital punishment, #Nigerian death row inmate freed, #Riley Moore Sunday Jackson, #Sunday Jackson

Malik Yahya/

A Nigerian farmer, Sunday Jackson, has regained his freedom after spending 11 years on death row, following a full pardon granted by Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.

The pardon, approved on December 23, was issued on the recommendation of the Adamawa State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, which cited Jackson’s good conduct while in custody.

Two other inmates were also granted clemency on the same day.

Jackson was convicted in 2015 for the fatal stabbing of a herder during a dispute on his farm in Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

According to court records, Jackson maintained that he acted in self-defence after being attacked.

While the trial court rejected the self-defence claim and sentenced him to death, the case continued to generate controversy, including a dissenting opinion at the Supreme Court, where one of the justices questioned whether the circumstances justified a capital sentence.

The case became emblematic of Nigeria’s long-running farmer herder conflicts, particularly in the Middle Belt and parts of the North East, where disputes over land use have frequently escalated into violence.

Human rights organisations, legal advocacy groups and faith-based campaigners repeatedly called for clemency, arguing that Jackson’s punishment was disproportionate and failed to adequately consider the context of the altercation.

News of Jackson’s release sparked widespread celebration on social media.

The development also drew international attention.

US Congressman Riley Moore publicly welcomed the pardon in a celebratory post on X, writing, “Sunday Jackson is FREE. Thanks be to God!”, adding that more updates would follow.

Moore had previously spoken about the case, framing it as a human rights concern and calling for mercy.

Legal experts note that gubernatorial pardons are constitutionally recognised in Nigeria and are often used to address cases where prolonged incarceration, rehabilitation, or mitigating circumstances warrant executive intervention.

Sunday Jackson is expected to be formally reintegrated into society after completing release documentation.

Advocacy groups have indicated that efforts are under way to provide him with medical, psychological and livelihood support after more than a decade in prison.