Nigerian Christian farmer who overpowered and killed fulani Herdsman sentenced to death by hanging

Sunday Jackson, a farmer from Adamawa State, has been sentenced to death by hanging for killing a Fulani herdsman in what many are calling an act of self-defense gone tragically awry. The Supreme Court today upheld the lower court’s ruling, cementing Jackson’s fate and igniting a passionate plea for clemency from supporters who view the sentence as a grave injustice.

The incident occurred when Jackson, working on his farm, was attacked by a Fulani herdsman wielding a knife. According to trial details, Jackson sustained injuries to his legs during the assault.

In a desperate struggle, he managed to overpower his assailant, seizing the knife and stabbing the herdsman, who later succumbed to his injuries. The prosecution acknowledged during the trial that the knife belonged to the attacker, a fact that has fueled arguments that Jackson acted to protect his own life.

However, the trial court ruled that Jackson should have fled the scene after disarming his attacker rather than using the weapon against him. Despite the clear context of self-defense, the court convicted Jackson of murder, sentencing him to death by hanging.

The Supreme Court’s decision today to uphold the verdict has left many questioning the application of justice in this case, with critics arguing that the ruling fails to account for the immediacy of the threat Jackson faced.

“This is clearly a case of persecution,” said a commentator, "Sunday Jackson was defending his life against an armed attacker. To sentence him to death for that is a miscarriage of justice that demands urgent attention.”

Supporters of Jackson have launched an impassioned campaign, urging believers and human rights advocates to “raise a cry to Heaven” for clemency. They are calling on Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, who holds the power to grant a pardon, to intervene and spare Jackson’s life. The governor’s office has yet to respond to the growing chorus of voices demanding mercy.

The case has reignited broader conversations about self-defense laws in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas where clashes between farmers and herdsmen have become increasingly common.

For many, Jackson’s story is a stark reminder of the fine line between survival and prosecution in a system that some argue disproportionately punishes the vulnerable.

As the clock ticks for Sunday Jackson, his fate now rests in the hands of Governor Fintiri and the collective will of those rallying for his deliverance. Whether this cry for justice will be heard remains uncertain, but the call for compassion grows louder by the day.

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