The Pene da Bwatiye Youth Wing of Adamawa State, in collaboration with their national counterpart, has strongly opposed the Supreme Court’s decision that upheld the death sentence imposed on Mr Sunday Jackson, a farmer from Demsa LGA in Adamawa State.
Jackson was convicted for the death of a Fulani herdsman during a confrontation on his farm nearly ten years ago.
In a press statement issued by Dr. Pwano Jauro (PhD), the President of the Youth Wing of the Bwatiye Development Association, the group is appealing to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, often referred to as the people’s governor, to grant clemency in Jackson’s case to prevent his execution.
In 2015, Jackson encountered a Fulani herdsman whose cattle were damaging his crops. After being attacked with a knife, Jackson, who sustained multiple injuries, managed to retrieve the knife and fatally wounded the herdsman during the struggle. Despite claiming self-defence, he was sentenced to death by hanging by a court in Yola, a decision recently upheld by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The group, along with their thousands of supporters, argues that Jackson’s actions were defensive and that the verdict against him represents a miscarriage of justice.
They are pleading with Governor Fintiri to exercise his powers to grant clemency to preserve the relative peace enjoyed by both farmers and herdsmen within the Bwatiye kingdom in Adamawa State.
Under Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution, the governor has the authority to grant pardons or commute sentences. His decision will significantly impact Jackson’s fate and reflect the state’s stance on justice, peace, and self-defence.
