From Death Row to Christmas Mercy: Fintiri’s Pardon of Adamawa Farmer Rekindles National Debate on Self-Defence and Justice

In a move that has stirred strong emotions across Nigeria and reignited long-running debates about justice, self-defence, and the treatment of farmers in conflict-prone communities, Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has granted a Christmas pardon to Sunday Jackson, the farmer who was sentenced to death after killing a herdsman during a violent confrontation on his farm. The decision, announced on Tuesday as part of the governor’s annual clemency exercise, brings an end to years of legal uncertainty and anguish for a case many Nigerians considered a symbol of injustice.

Sunday Jackson’s ordeal began several years ago in a rural farming community in Adamawa State, where tensions between farmers and herders had become an almost routine feature of daily life. According to accounts that emerged during the trial, Jackson was working on his farm when he was allegedly attacked by a herdsman. In the ensuing struggle, the herder was killed. Jackson maintained from the outset that he acted purely in self-defence, insisting that his life was in imminent danger and that he had no intention of killing anyone.

Despite this claim, the court found Jackson guilty and sentenced him to death, a verdict that immediately sparked outrage among human rights groups, civil society organisations, and farming communities across the country. Critics argued that the ruling ignored the realities faced by rural farmers who are often left vulnerable to attacks and have limited access to protection from security agencies. For many, Jackson’s conviction was seen not just as a personal tragedy but as a chilling warning to farmers who might find themselves in similar situations.

After his conviction, Jackson was transferred to the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abuja, where he spent years on death row. During this period, his case became a rallying point for activists who repeatedly called on authorities to review the judgment. Campaigns demanding his release gained traction on social media, while petitions were submitted to both state and federal authorities urging executive intervention. Supporters argued that keeping Jackson on death row amounted to punishing a victim for surviving an attack.

Governor Fintiri’s decision to grant Jackson a pardon has therefore been welcomed by many as a long-overdue act of mercy. In granting the clemency, the governor exercised his constitutional powers, traditionally used during festive seasons to show compassion and offer a second chance to inmates whose cases raise serious moral or legal concerns. Although the state government did not release an extensive statement detailing the reasoning behind Jackson’s pardon, sources within the administration indicated that the decision was informed by the circumstances surrounding the case, the sustained public outcry, and the spirit of reconciliation associated with the Christmas season.

News of the pardon spread quickly, drawing reactions from across the country. Human rights advocates described the decision as a victory for justice and common sense, while farming associations said it restored some faith in the system. For many farmers, especially those in states frequently affected by clashes between farmers and herders, Jackson’s release was seen as a rare acknowledgment of the dangers they face daily and the need for a more balanced approach to justice in conflict situations.

However, the pardon has also reopened broader conversations about Nigeria’s criminal justice system and its handling of self-defence cases. Legal experts have pointed out that the law recognises self-defence as a valid defence under certain conditions, yet in practice, defendants often struggle to prove it, particularly when they lack access to competent legal representation. Jackson’s case, they argue, highlights systemic weaknesses, including prolonged trials, rigid interpretations of the law, and a tendency to overlook contextual realities.

Beyond the legal arguments, the case has once again shone a spotlight on the persistent conflict between farmers and herders, a challenge that has claimed lives, destroyed livelihoods, and deepened mistrust in many parts of Nigeria. In Adamawa and other affected states, disputes over land use, grazing routes, and water sources have frequently escalated into violence. While governments have announced various measures over the years to address the problem, including grazing reserves and peace committees, many communities say these efforts have yielded limited results.

For Sunday Jackson, the pardon marks the end of a harrowing chapter that few can truly imagine. After years of waking up each day under the shadow of a death sentence, he now faces the daunting task of rebuilding his life. Supporters say he will require not just freedom but also psychological support and assistance to reintegrate into society. Some advocacy groups have already called on the Adamawa State Government to provide rehabilitation and support to Jackson and his family, who reportedly endured stigma and hardship throughout his incarceration.

Governor Fintiri’s action has also drawn praise from religious leaders, who framed the pardon as a reflection of the forgiveness and compassion central to the Christmas season. They urged other leaders to see the decision as an example of how mercy can coexist with justice, particularly in cases where rigid application of the law risks producing outcomes that offend the public conscience.

Yet, even as celebrations trail Jackson’s release, many observers caution that pardons, while important, are not a substitute for systemic reform. They argue that Nigeria must urgently review how self-defence claims are assessed, ensure faster and fairer trials, and address the root causes of farmer-herder conflicts. Without such reforms, they warn, cases like Jackson’s may continue to emerge, with lives hanging in the balance while justice moves at a painfully slow pace.

As Sunday Jackson steps out of custody a free man, his story remains a powerful reminder of the human cost of legal and social failures. His pardon has brought relief and hope to many, but it has also left behind pressing questions about fairness, protection for vulnerable communities, and the kind of justice Nigerians truly want to see. For now, amid the joy and relief, the nation watches closely, hoping that Jackson’s long walk from death row to freedom will not be in vain, but will instead mark a turning point in how such cases are handled in the future.