A youth-led environmental advocacy group, the Nigerian Earth Warriors, has joined a growing chorus of voices appealing for clemency for Sunday Jackson, a farmer sentenced to death by Nigeria’s Supreme Court. Jackson was convicted following a fatal altercation with a nomadic herder in Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The group is urging both federal and state authorities to temper justice with mercy, calling on Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State to exercise his prerogative of mercy to commute Jackson’s sentence.
During a peaceful demonstration in Yola, the state capital, Musa Andrew, President of Nigerian Earth Warriors, emphasized the need for compassion and fairness in the case.
“We have already lost one person—the herder. Losing another life will not bring justice or peace. The verdict has been delivered, but we can still appeal for mercy,” Andrew stated.
He passionately pleaded with Governor Fintiri to intervene, saying, “Governor Fintiri, please have mercy on Sunday so that he too can enjoy the fresh air that the good people of this state breathe.”
Andrew also pointed to climate change as an underlying factor contributing to conflicts between farmers and herders. He stressed that with the right policies and proper implementation, such violent clashes could be prevented.
“Many of these incidents arise due to encroachment by nomadic herders, some of whom migrate from neighbouring countries with little awareness of land demarcations,” he said, urging local leaders to play an active role in educating newcomers about community boundaries and regulations.
Supporting the appeal, Gamgure Balambo, a legal practitioner and member of the group, echoed calls for clemency, emphasizing that justice should be accompanied by compassion.
The Nigerian Earth Warriors also expressed their condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased herder, offering prayers for strength and fortitude as they mourn their loss.
Jackson’s only hope for freedom now lies in the hands of Governor Fintiri’s prerogative of mercy or a presidential pardon, as his sentence stands as a final ruling from the nation’s highest court. The growing appeal for clemency underscores the broader conversation surrounding farmer-herder conflicts and the urgent need for lasting solutions to prevent further tragedies.