A farmer, Sunday Jackson, who was sentenced to death by the Supreme Court for killing a herder in self-defence, has been pardoned by Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri.
Recall that community leaders and the family of the deceased had appealed to the state governor to invoke his prerogative of mercy to grant Jackson a pardon.
The governor signed the pardon on Monday, approving the clemency under Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution.
Jackson, who spent more than a decade in detention, was attacked on his farm in 2015, resulting in the fatal confrontation. His case generated nationwide debate over self-defence, justice and the rule of law.
Jackson is a subsistence farmer from Don village in Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Supporters of Jackson have welcomed the governor’s action, describing it as a triumph of mercy and reconciliation.
Earlier, Fulani groups had applauded the Supreme Court ruling that sentenced Jackson to death by hanging for killing their kinsman.
The group, alongside other Fulani indigenes, views the judgment as an affirmation of their rights and a response to what they describe as persistent attacks against their members in different communities.
