YOLA, Adamawa State – The Gongola People’s Forum (GPF), a socio-cultural association representing various ethnic groups in Adamawa State, has issued an urgent appeal to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to grant clemency to Sunday Jackson, a farmer sentenced to death for killing a herder in self-defense.
According to a press release issued by the GPF, the incident occurred on Jackson’s farm when an unidentified herder allowed his cattle to graze on his crops. When Jackson confronted the herder, he was allegedly attacked with a knife, sustaining injuries to his leg and other parts of his body. During the altercation, Jackson managed to overpower the herder and fatally wound him.
Subsequently, Jackson was arrested, tried, and convicted of murder by a lower court in Yola. The court ruled that Jackson should have fled after disarming the herder, rather than engaging him further. This verdict was upheld by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
The GPF, through its National Chairman, Engr. Markus Gundiri, expressed deep concern over what they perceive as a failure of the Nigerian legal system to recognize Jackson’s right to self-defense. The forum’s legal team, after reviewing the case, concluded that the law had not adequately addressed the circumstances of the incident.
“We are moved by the failure of the law of our legal system, which has been under scrutiny and interrogation by Human Rights Groups for decades,” the GPF stated in its release. They are now imploring Governor Fintiri, citing his “impeccable record of compassion” and “value of life,” to intervene.
The GPF emphasized Governor Fintiri’s reputation as a “leader of sound mind and empathy,” a “devout Muslim who is pro-life,” and a “peace builder” with a “demonstrable track record of true justice.” They expressed confidence that the governor would exercise his constitutional prerogative of mercy to pardon Jackson.
“We in GPF are pro-life, and our confidence in approaching His Excellency on this matter is based on the condition that Governor Fintiri is a leader of sound mind and empathy,” the release stated. “GPF humbly pleads for mercy for the soul of Sunday Jackson. GPF believes in you, and we are hopeful sir that you will exercise your Constitutional right of prerogative of mercy to pardon Sunday Jackson, whom the law has failed.”
The plea comes amid ongoing discussions about farmer-herder conflicts and the application of self-defense laws in Nigeria. The GPF’s appeal highlights the complexities of these issues and the urgent need for a review of the legal processes involved.
The Adamawa State Government has yet to issue a statement in response to the GPF’s plea.
