U.S. Congressman Hails Nigerian Farmer’s Pardon After Dying Sentence For Self-Defence

U.S. Congressman Riley M. Moore has welcomed the pardon and launch of Sunday Jackson, a Nigerian farmer who was sentenced to demise after killing a herdsman in alleged self-defence.

Jackson was granted a pardon on Tuesday by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri as a part of a Christmas and New 12 months clemency train. The choice ended greater than a decade of incarceration for the farmer, whose case had drawn native and worldwide consideration.

Reacting on Wednesday, Moore mentioned Jackson’s freedom marked the top of injustice.

“Sunday Jackson is free! After greater than a decade in jail serving a demise sentence for defending himself, Sunday Jackson has been pardoned,” the congressman mentioned in a press release.

“I’ve been advocating for Sunday’s launch each in public and in non-public conferences, together with throughout my current Congressional Delegation go to to Nigeria,” he added.

Moore mentioned he had pressed for Jackson’s launch throughout congressional hearings, media engagements, and conferences with senior Nigerian officers in each Nigeria and the US.

He described the pardon as a optimistic sign in Nigeria–U.S. relations, saying it confirmed a willingness by the Nigerian authorities to interact Washington on safety and human rights considerations.

“There’s far more to do, however I proceed to see optimistic steps that my considerations and the considerations of President Trump are being taken severely by the Nigerian authorities,” Moore mentioned.

He added: “I wish to thank President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s willingness to interact in continued constructive discussions with the U.S. Authorities on establishing a strategic safety framework between our two international locations to deal with the multifaceted safety challenges dealing with Nigeria.”

The lawmaker additionally referred to as on authorities to make sure Jackson’s security following his launch.

“The Nigerian authorities on the Federal and State stage should guarantee Sunday’s security throughout and following his launch,” he added.

Jackson, an Adamawa farmer, had been on demise row after being convicted for killing a herdsman, a case extensively perceived by rights advocates as involving self-defence. His case attracted widespread requires clemency from civil society teams and non secular organisations.

In a press release issued Tuesday in Yola, Governor Fintiri’s Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, mentioned the governor exercised his constitutional prerogative of mercy to pardon Jackson alongside two different inmates, whereas remitting the remaining sentences of 5 others.

Fintiri was quoted as saying the beneficiaries had proven “important enchancment of their behaviour and conduct” whereas in custody, including that the gesture was a part of actions marking the Christmas and New 12 months celebrations.