Justice, Clemency, and the Case of Sunday Jackson

Justice, Clemency, and the Case of Sunday Jackson

The sentencing of Sunday Jackson has sparked national outrage, with many questioning the fairness and consistency of Nigeria’s judicial system. As the Executive Director of the International Organization for Peacebuilding and Social Justice (PSJ), I, Ishaya Inuwa Durkwa, speak on behalf of our organization to address this pressing matter. Justice must be served, but it must also be fair, compassionate, and balanced.

Sunday Jackson, a farmer from Demsa LGA, Adamawa State, found himself in a life-threatening altercation in 2015 when a herdsman allowed cattle to destroy his farm. The confrontation escalated, and Jackson, in the act of self-defence, disarmed the attacker and fatally wounded him. Despite the circumstances, Jackson was arrested and charged with murder. In 2021, Justice Fatima Ahmed Tafida sentenced him to death by hanging, arguing that he could have fled instead of retaliating. The Supreme Court upheld this verdict on March 7, 2025, after a brief two-minute hearing.

This ruling has ignited public outcry, particularly from the Bwatiye Development Association (BDA), which strongly condemns the judgment. Many believe this is not just about Jackson but about the larger issue of judicial imbalance. Farmers in Nigeria’s Middle Belt have long suffered attacks, yet legal responses appear skewed when they defend themselves.

Jackson’s case is not an isolated incident. In 2018, Justice Abdul-Azeez Waziri sentenced five farmers—Alex Amos, Alheri Phanuel, Holy Boniface, Jerry Gideon, and Jari Sabagi—to death for allegedly killing a herdsman in a reprisal attack. However, numerous herdsmen who have committed similar acts have walked free. These inconsistencies raise serious concerns about judicial neutrality and fairness. When justice is perceived as favouring one group over another, it breeds distrust, resentment, and potential violence.

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The Nigerian Constitution provides room for clemency. Section 212 empowers the governor of a state to grant mercy in cases where justice demands a more humane approach. Additionally, Nigeria is a signatory to international human rights conventions that emphasize fair trials and humane justice.

Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal. The brevity of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Jackson’s case raises questions about whether this right was upheld. Similarly, Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states that the death penalty should only be applied to the most serious offenses. Self-defense, especially under the circumstances Jackson faced, does not fall within this category.

The case of Sunday Jackson is about more than one man’s fate. It is about the integrity of Nigeria’s justice system. It is about restoring public confidence in the courts and ensuring that justice is truly blind. If similar cases have yielded different outcomes, why should Jacksons’ be different? If clemency can be granted in other instances, why should it be denied here?

Clemency does not mean endorsing crime. It acknowledges human circumstances and ensures that justice is applied fairly. Jackson was not a criminal; he was a farmer defending his livelihood. His case reflects the broader insecurity that many farmers face daily.

Also READ: Cry For Justice: Sunday Jackson Sentenced to Death at 29 for Killing Fulani Herder in Self-defense

A Plea for Humanity and Mercy Justice must not only punish but also heal. Nigeria stands at a crossroads where it can choose to uphold fairness or perpetuate cycles of injustice. Granting Jackson clemency will demonstrate a commitment to equity, peace, and national unity. It will reassure citizens that their lives matter and that the law protects all, regardless of ethnicity or economic status.

A Call to Conscience As an organization dedicated to peace and social justice, PSJ urges the Nigerian government to reconsider Jackson’s case. Clemency is not just about mercy—it is about ensuring that the legal system does not become an instrument of oppression.

We call on all well-meaning Nigerians, civil society groups, and leaders of conscience to support this call for justice. Let us stand for fairness, for equality before the law, and for a Nigeria where every citizen is truly protected by the rule of law.

Justice must be seen to be done. Let us not allow selective application of the law to weaken our collective faith in the judicial system. It is time to act, time to correct the imbalance, and time to ensure that justice is not just a word but a lived reality for all Nigerians.

Ishaya Inuwa Durkwa
Executive Director
PSJ