Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri granted a full pardon to farmer Sunday Jackson, convicted in 2021 of killing herder Ardo Buba Bawuro during a 2015 clash over crop-damaging cattle.
Jackson claimed self-defense in the struggle, but courts upheld a death sentence until the Supreme Court affirmed it in March 2025; the governor acted on good conduct recommendations as part of a Christmas clemency exercise.
American Rep. Riley Moore stated: “After more than a decade in prison serving a death sentence for defending himself, Sunday Jackson has been pardoned,” Moore continued in a statement on X.
“Sunday is a Christian farmer who, like countless of other Christians in Nigeria, was brutally attacked by an Islamic radical.”
“Sunday fought back in self-defense, killing his attacker. I have been advocating for Sunday’s release both in public and in private meetings, including during my recent Congressional Delegation visit to Nigeria…”
“Our Lord came to set the captives free, and now Sunday will be able to celebrate Christmas with his family. Thanks be to God!”
