Adamawa Farmer on Death Row For Killing Fulani Herdsman Freed by Governor.
Sunday Jackson, the Adamawa farmer whose death sentence for killing a Fulani herdsman stirred widespread conversation, is now a free man. Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has included Jackson in a list of inmates granted pardon to mark the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Jackson was convicted for the 2021 death of a herdsman on his farm in a case that many residents followed closely. According to the details that emerged during his trial, Jackson had confronted the herdsman after cattle entered his land and began eating his crops. An argument escalated into a physical fight, which ended with the herdsman dead. Jackson maintained he acted only to defend himself.
His conviction and subsequent death sentence last year generated visible public disagreement. Many locals, particularly within farming communities, voiced that the punishment did not fit the circumstances of a dispute over land and livelihood. Online, questions were raised about the fairness of the sentence, especially when compared to prison terms given to individuals linked to violent extremist groups.
It appears this sustained public reaction may have influenced the final outcome. While not directly referencing the public debate, Governor Fintiri used his constitutional power of mercy to issue the pardon.
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The official statement from the Governor’s office listed Jackson, who was being held at the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, as one of three inmates receiving a full pardon. Five others had the remainder of their prison sentences cancelled.
The Governor explained that the decision followed recommendations from the Adamawa State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy. He stated that the selected inmates had “demonstrated good conduct over the years” and shown clear improvement in their behaviour.
For Jackson’s family and supporters, the pardon brings a tense chapter to a close. Neighbours in his community expressed quiet relief at the news, hoping it would ease local tensions. However, the case continues to highlight the complex and often volatile nature of farmer-herder conflicts in the region, where clashes over resources are common and legal outcomes are closely watched by all sides.
The pardon, extended as an act of seasonal goodwill, ultimately resolves one man’s legal battle but leaves larger questions about land use, justice, and conflict resolution still waiting for answers.
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