Fintiri Pardons Adamawa Farmer Sentenced to Death for Killing Attacker in Self-Defence
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has granted a state pardon to Sunday Jackson, a farmer who was sentenced to death for killing a man alleged to have attacked him on his farm in what was described as an act of self-defence.
Jackson is one of three inmates pardoned by the governor as part of activities marking the Christmas and New Year celebrations. The gesture also included the full remission of sentences for five other convicts across custodial centres in the state.
In addition to Jackson, two other inmates, Joseph Eugene and Maxwell Ibrahim, held at the medium-security custodial centres in Yola, Adamawa State, and Kaduna, were also granted full pardons.
Those whose sentences were fully remitted are Joshua James Audo, Adamu Ibrahim, Mohammed Abubakar, Ibrahim Usman, and Saidu Abubakar. They had been serving various terms at the Numan and Jada custodial centres.
The decision was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou. According to the statement, Governor Fintiri exercised his constitutional prerogative of mercy following recommendations from the Adamawa State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
The governor noted that the action reflects his administration’s commitment to justice tempered with compassion, especially during a season that calls for reflection, forgiveness, and renewed hope. He urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity by becoming law-abiding and productive members of society.
The move has been welcomed by many as a humane step, particularly in the case of Sunday Jackson, whose conviction had drawn public attention due to claims that he acted in self-defence while protecting his livelihood.
