March 13, 2025
ActionAid Nigeria on Thursday called for clemency for Sunday Jackson, a young farmer and student sentenced to death by the Supreme Court on March 7.
Jackson was sentenced to death albeit strong evidence that he acted in self-defence against a herdsman on his farm.
Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), made this appeal in a statement in Abuja.
Mamedu criticised the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the death sentence, calling it a missed opportunity to correct an injustice and a blow to public confidence in Nigeria’s judicial system.
“Jackson must not be executed for daring to survive an attack.
“In 2015, Jackson, then a 20-year-old student and farmer from Dong community in Demsa Local Government Area, Adamawa State, was attacked on his farm in Kodomti community, Numan Local Government Area.
“Buba Bawuro, a herder, deliberately led his cattle to graze on Jackson’s crops. When confronted, Bawuro violently attacked Jackson with a knife, stabbing him in the leg.
“In spite of his injuries, Jackson managed to overpower his assailant and seized the weapon.
“In the ensuing struggle, Bawuro lost his life. Rather than being recognised as a victim of an unprovoked attack who defended himself, Jackson was arrested and charged with culpable homicide”.
Mamedu described the events that followed as a complete breakdown of justice.
He noted that Jackson spent seven years in detention; a clear violation of his rights, before being convicted and sentenced to death in 2021 by the Yola High Court.
“The judge outrageously ruled that Jackson should have fled after disarming his attacker, an absurd expectation under such dire circumstances.
He lamented that Jackson has endured a decade of wrongful imprisonment and now faces execution instead of justice.
According to him, this is not just a personal tragedy but an indictment of the justice system and a stark reminder of the inequalities in Nigeria.
“Self-defence is not a crime. It is a fundamental right recognised under Nigerian and international law.
“The prolonged trial period, detention, and delayed judgment blatantly violated Jackson’s right to a fair and speedy trial, as provided for under Section 36(6)(b) of the Constitution”.
He called on Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, to intervene by granting executive clemency and preventing the wrongful execution.
He stressed that the Nigerian judiciary must not be used as a tool of oppression against the poor.
“This case should serve as a wake-up call that justice cannot be selective.
“Justice for Jackson is justice for all Nigerians”.
