The Executive Director of the International Organization for Peacebuilding and Social Justice (PSJ), Ishaya Inuwa Durkwa, has expressed deep concern over the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the death sentence of Sunday Jackson.
Speaking on behalf of the organization, Durkwa emphasized the need for justice that is fair, compassionate, and balanced. He urged the government to reconsider Jackson’s case and explore the possibility of clemency.
“Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. The case of Sunday Jackson is not just about one individual it is about the integrity of our justice system and ensuring fairness for all,” Durkwa stated.
Sunday Jackson, a farmer from Demsa Local Government Area in Adamawa State, found himself in a life-threatening situation in 2015 when a herdsman’s cattle destroyed his farmland. In the confrontation that followed, Jackson acted in self-defense, disarming the attacker and fatally wounding him. Despite the difficult circumstances surrounding the case, he was charged with murder.
In 2021, Justice Fatima Ahmed Tafida sentenced Jackson to death by hanging, arguing that he should have fled instead of retaliating.
On March 7, 2025, the Supreme Court upheld the ruling after a brief two-minute hearing, a development that has drawn widespread concern.
The Bwatiye Development Association (BDA) and other groups have voiced their worries over what they see as an imbalance in the legal system, particularly regarding cases involving farmers in the Middle Belt region who have often been victims of violent attacks.
Durkwa pointed to similar cases where farmers have received harsh sentences for self-defense, while other incidents of violence have not received the same legal response.
He referenced a 2018 case where five farmers—Alex Amos, Alheri Phanuel, Holy Boniface, Jerry Gideon, and Jari Sabagi—were sentenced to death for allegedly killing a herdsman in a reprisal attack. This, he noted, has raised discussions about consistency in the justice system.
“It is important that our legal processes uphold fairness and ensure that all citizens, regardless of their background, feel protected under the law,” Durkwa remarked.
Highlighting the constitutional provisions for clemency, Durkwa noted that Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution grants state governors the power to offer mercy in exceptional cases.
He also referenced Nigeria’s commitment to international human rights standards, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which stress the importance of fair trials and proportionate sentencing.
“The Supreme Court’s decision, while respected, raises important questions about the circumstances of the case and the broader need for judicial discretion in matters of self-defense,” Durkwa stated.
Durkwa urged the Nigerian government and the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, to consider the option of clemency, noting that justice should balance both legal principles and human circumstances.
“This is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to justice, fairness, and national unity. Clemency in this case would demonstrate that our legal system values both the rule of law and the realities that shape human actions,” he added.
PSJ has called on civil society organizations, legal practitioners, and concerned citizens to support a fair resolution for Jackson’s case.
“It is time for reflection, time for compassion, and time to ensure that justice is not just a legal concept but a lived experience for all Nigerians,” Durkwa concluded.
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