On Tuesday, 23 December 2025, the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, granted a full pardon to Sunday Jackson as part of his Christmas and New Year clemency exercise.

The pardon was announced by the governor via a press statement released by his chief press secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou.

According to the statement, the pardon was granted after recommendations from the state’s Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

Sunday Jackson was later released from Kuje prison on 24 December 2025 after more than 10 years on death row.

Who is Sunday Jackson?

He is a Nigerian farmer. He is a native of the Dongo community in Adamawa. He is a Christian. He was born and raised in a Christian home. He has a modest farm in the rural community of Kodomti, Numan Local Government Area (LGA). He is a married man, and the union is blessed with wonderful children.

What was his offense?

Jackson’s journey to Kuje prison started in January 2015. He was tending his crops before a herder identified as Buba Bawuro drove his cattle into his farmland and damaged his harvest.

This provoked Jackson, and he confronted the herder, which resulted in an altercation.

According to reports, Bawuro allegedly attacked Jackson with a knife and stabbed him in the head and leg.

Jackson reportedly managed to wrestle the weapon and stabbed Bawuro in self-defense.

Unfortunately, Bawuro died from the wound, which led to the arrest of an Adamawa-born farmer.

Jackson and his legal battle

On Sunday, Jackson, an Adamawa-born farmer, was arrested and arraigned under Section 221(a) of the Adamawa State Penal Code for culpable homicide.In 2021, Jackson appeared before a Yola High Court, where he was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging.

According to the judge, Jackson should have fled or run away instead of fighting back.

Jackson and his lawyer were not satisfied with the ruling. They approached the highest court in the country to seek redress.

In March 2025, the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence, but a dissenting opinion called for mercy. However, Jackson spent almost 11 years on death row at Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abuja.

Agitation?

Several human rights groups, like Hope Behind Bars Africa, including prominent individuals, campaigned rigorously for the release of Sunday Jackson. They argued that the killing was a clear case of self-defense.

Riley Moore, U.S. Congressman, also demanded the release of Sunday Jackson. He stressed that the case is related to broader concerns about farmer‑herder violence and religious persecution in Nigeria.

Many analysts argued that the designation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern and pressures from the U.S. government pressured Nigerian authorities to free him.

PARDON?

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, on 23 December 2025, granted Jackson a full pardon as part of a Christmas clemency exercise.

The pardon was based on recommendations from the Adamawa State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

The advisory council cited Jackson’s good conduct in prison and humanitarian factors.