In a significant development, the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has granted a state pardon to Sunday Jackson, a Christian farmer who was serving a death sentence. The pardon was announced on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
Decade-Long Incarceration Ends With Pardon
Sunday Jackson was sentenced to death over a decade ago after a fatal confrontation on his farm. The farmer had killed a herdsman during an attack on his property, an act he claimed was in self-defence. Jackson subsequently spent more than ten years in prison, with his case drawing little international attention until recently.
US Advocacy and Diplomatic Pressure
The path to Jackson's release gained momentum following intense advocacy from the United States. US Congressman Rep. Riley M. Moore championed Jackson's case, pushing for his freedom during congressional hearings, in media interviews, and in private diplomatic meetings with senior Nigerian officials. These efforts took place both in Washington, D.C., and during a congressional delegation's visit to Nigeria.
This advocacy occurred against a backdrop of heightened tensions. Former US President Donald Trump had alleged a "Christian genocide" was occurring in Nigeria, a claim that prompted threats of potential US military intervention to defend Christians in the West African nation. The Nigerian government firmly denied these allegations. However, the situation led to a renewed understanding and cooperation between the two countries to address the core security challenges, particularly in Nigeria's northern regions.
Christmas Prerogative of Mercy
Despite the international context, the official statement from the Adamawa State Government cited different reasons for the pardon. Humwashi Wonosikou, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, stated that Jackson was pardoned "in the spirit of the Christmas celebration." The government also noted that Jackson was among inmates who had demonstrated improved behaviour over a significant period.
Governor Fintiri's statement elaborated, noting the action was taken "in the exercise of my prerogative of mercy as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria." The pardon was also aligned with recommendations from the Adamawa State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
Jackson, who was held at the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, was not alone in receiving clemency. He was pardoned alongside two other inmates: Joseph Eugene from Yola and Maxwell Ibrahim from Kaduna. In total, the governor granted pardons to three persons and directed the remission of sentences for five others based on good conduct.
The resolution of Sunday Jackson's case marks a complex intersection of local justice, gubernatorial mercy, and international diplomatic pressure, highlighting the ongoing sensitivities surrounding farmer-herder conflicts and religious dynamics in Nigeria.
