The Supreme Court of Nigeria, on Friday, March 7th, upheld the death sentence of Sunday Jackson, a farmer in his 30s, for killing a Fulani herdsman in what he claims was an act of self-defense.
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The ruling has drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates, who argue that it reflects a disturbing trend in Nigeria’s justice system, where citizens defending themselves against violent attacks are increasingly facing harsh penalties, while their attackers often evade accountability.
The case dates back to an incident in Adamawa State, where Jackson was attacked on his farm in Codonti Forest by Buba Bawuro, a Fulani herdsman who had trespassed with his cattle. According to Jackson, Bawuro pulled a knife and stabbed him multiple times during the altercation. In a struggle, Jackson managed to seize the knife and fatally stab Bawuro in the neck. Jackson was subsequently arrested and charged with murder, despite his consistent assertion that he acted in self-defense. In 2021, a Yola court sentenced him to death by hanging, a decision the Supreme Court has now affirmed.
Human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe, part of Jackson’s defense team, expressed deep concern over the implications of the ruling. He highlighted the broader issue of Nigerians being criminalized for defending themselves in a country where violent attacks by Fulani herdsmen have resulted in thousands of deaths. Dr. William Terence Devlin, an American human rights leader supporting Jackson, echoed these sentiments, stating that Jackson was merely protecting himself and his livelihood from an aggressor.
The case has also raised serious questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s legal process. Jackson’s trial was marred by delays and procedural irregularities. After the final arguments were presented on August 27, 2020, the judgment was not delivered until February 10, 2021—167 days later, far exceeding the 90-day limit mandated by Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution for the delivery of judgments. Lawyers argue that this delay likely contributed to a miscarriage of justice, as the trial judge appeared to confuse key facts and substitute personal opinions for evidence.
Furthermore, Jackson’s defense team has pointed out that the trial judge misinterpreted the constitutional right to self-defense, suggesting that Jackson should have fled rather than fought back, despite evidence that he was stabbed and momentarily incapacitated during the attack. This reasoning has been widely criticized as illogical and inconsistent with universal legal principles that uphold the right to stand one’s ground in the face of imminent danger.
Jackson’s supporters argue that the case should never have gone to trial, as it was a clear instance of self-defense. At most, they contend, a charge of manslaughter would have been appropriate. Instead, Jackson has spent over a decade in prison, including six years awaiting trial for a case that involved only five court sittings. His prolonged incarceration and the subsequent death sentence have been described as a gross travesty of justice.
The ruling has sparked outrage among Nigerians and the international community, with organizations like Open Doors closely monitoring the case. Calls are growing for the governor of Adamawa State to grant Jackson clemency and for Nigerian authorities to address the systemic issues that have led to such a controversial verdict.
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