Fintiri pardons Adamawa farmer sentenced to death for killing attacker in ‘self-defence’

Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa state, has pardoned Sunday Jackson, a farmer sentenced to death for killing a man said to have attacked him on his farm.

Jackson was among three inmates granted a state pardon by the governor, while the sentences of five others were fully remitted as part of activities marking Christmas and the New Year.

Also, Joseph Eugene and Maxwell Ibrahim, held at medium-security custodial centres in Yola and Kaduna, were also granted pardon.

Those who have their sentences fully remitted are Joshua James Audo, Adamu Ibrahim, Mohammed Abubakar, Ibrahim Usman, and Saidu Abubakar, serving sentences in Numan and Jada custodial centres.

In a statement on Tuesday, Humwashi Wonosikou, chief press secretary (CPS) to the governor, said Fintiri exercised his constitutional prerogative of mercy following recommendations by the Adamawa state advisory council on prerogative of mercy.

Wonosikou said the decision was based on “significant improvement in the behaviour and conduct” of the inmates.

In February 2021, an Adamawa high court sentenced Jackson to death, despite his claim of self-defence.

In June 2022, the court of appeal in Adamawa affirmed the judgement of the high court, dismissing Jackson’s claim of self-defence.

The case generated widespread public debate on self-defence and capital punishment.

In January, the supreme court upheld Jackson’s death sentence, affirming the decisions of the lower courts.

However, the judgement included a dissenting opinion that called for clemency.

The case also drew international attention.

In February, a United States congressman urged the federal government to intervene and grant Jackson a pardon, describing the conviction as unjust and inconsistent with the principle of self-defence.