Jackson, a Nigerian man sentenced to death for allegedly killing a herdsman in self-defense during an attack in Adamawa State, is appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, to show mercy and grant clemency following the ruling.
The incident, which occurred in late 2024, involved Jackson defending his family and property from a violent herdsman attack. According to Jackson, the attack escalated quickly, and in a moment of fear for his life and that of his loved ones, he acted in self-defense. Unfortunately, the herdsman was killed during the altercation, leading to Jackson being charged with murder. Despite presenting evidence of the attack being initiated by the herdsman, the court found Jackson guilty and imposed a death sentence.
In his heartfelt appeal, Jackson has expressed deep remorse for the loss of life but maintains that his actions were motivated by the need to protect himself and his family from a threat that was imminent and violent. His legal representatives argue that his case was one of self-defense under Nigerian law, and the death sentence is disproportionately harsh given the circumstances.
"I acted in self-defense, driven by fear and the desire to protect my family. I never intended to cause harm, and the events leading to that fateful day have been deeply painful for me. I respectfully appeal to President Tinubu and Governor Fintiri to intervene and grant me clemency," Jackson said in a statement.
The case has drawn significant attention, particularly in light of the ongoing conflicts between farmers and herders in many parts of Nigeria, which has seen rising tensions and violence over the years. Human rights advocates have raised concerns over the potential for miscarriages of justice in such volatile contexts, calling for fairer consideration of the broader socio-political environment that contributes to such incidents.
Jackson's supporters have been organizing petitions, urging both local and national leaders to reconsider the sentence and to advocate for the application of mercy in his case. They argue that clemency is a just and compassionate response that would help heal the wounds of a conflict-ridden community and provide an opportunity for forgiveness and rehabilitation.