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AAN Condemns Supreme Court for Upholding Sunday Jackson’s Death Sentence
AAN Condemns Supreme Court for Upholding Sunday Jackson’s Death Sentence
By: Michael Mike
ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has condemned what it termed travesty of justice in the case of Sunday Jackson, a young farmer and student sentenced to death for defending himself against a violent attacker.
In a statement signed by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu on Thursday,
ActionAid Nigeria said the Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the sentence is a miscarriage of justice.
In 2015, Sunday Jackson, then a 20-year-old student and farmer from Dong community in Demsa Local Government Area, Adamawa State, was attacked on his farm in Kodomti community, Numan Local Government Area.
Buba Ardo Bawuro, a herder, deliberately led his cattle to graze on Jackson’s crops. When confronted, Bawuro violently attacked Jackson with a knife, stabbing him in the leg. Despite his injuries, Jackson managed to overpower his assailant and seized the weapon. In the ensuing struggle, Bawuro lost his life. Rather than being recognised as a victim of an unprovoked attack who defended himself, Jackson was arrested and charged with culpable homicide.
What followed was a complete breakdown of justice. Jackson spent seven years in detention, which AAN described as a blatant violation of his rights, before being convicted and sentenced to death in 2021 by the Yola High Court.
AAN said “the judge outrageously ruled that Jackson should have fled after disarming his attacker—an absurd expectation under such dire circumstances. The Supreme Court, which should have corrected this injustice, instead upheld the death sentence on March 7, 2025, further eroding the public’s confidence in Nigeria’s judicial system.”
Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria noted that “This ruling sets a dangerous precedent and reinforces systemic injustice against the most vulnerable Nigerians. Sunday Jackson was a young farmer defending himself against an unprovoked attack, yet instead of justice, he has been subjected to a decade of wrongful imprisonment and now faces execution. This is not just an individual tragedy; it is an indictment of our justice system and a stark reminder of the inequalities that persist in Nigeria.”
Mamedu noted that self-defense is not a crime. It is a fundamental right recognised under Nigerian and international law. By condemning Jackson to death for protecting himself, the Supreme Court has sent a chilling message to all citizens—that their right to life is secondary to legal technicalities and systemic failures.
Mamedu also noted that ‘‘the prolonged trial period, detention and delayed judgment, blatantly violated Jackson’s right to a fair and speedy trial as provided for under Section 36(6)(b) of the Constitution.
ActionAid Nigeria however called for the intervention of the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, to grant executive clemency and stop this “wrongful execution,” adding that: “We call on Nigerians and Civil Society Organisations to condemn this ruling and pressure Governor Fintiri to overturn this injustice.’’
ActionAid Nigeria reiterated that the Nigerian judiciary must cease being a tool of oppression against the poor, stating that: “This case should serve as a wake-up call that justice cannot be selective—Sunday Jackson must not be executed for daring to survive an attack. We will not stand by while an innocent man is being executed for having defended himself.
“Justice for Sunday Jackson is justice for all Nigerians.”
AAN Condemns Supreme Court for Upholding Sunday Jackson’s Death Sentence
Security forces neutralise two notorious bandits in Benue clearance operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forced have neutralised two suspected notorious bandits during a clearance operation in Ukum Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola that the operation followed credible intelligence received on Tuesday at about 1:00 p.m.
The report indicated that a criminal gang led by one Senen Hemen, also known as Orpa, was sighted along the pipeline axis between Gbeji and Igbongom communities in Ukum.
According to the sources, security forces were promptly mobilised to the location, where the gang engaged the operatives in a gun duel.
During the exchange, Hemen and another gang member identified as Mzungweve Ichur, both from Igbongom, were shot dead, while others fled the scene with gunshot injuries.
The sources confirmed that the corpses of the two suspects had been recovered and deposited at a private mortuary in Gbeji, while a manhunt had been launched in the surrounding bushes to track the fleeing accomplices.
The sources assured residents that the operation was part of ongoing efforts to rid Ukum and adjoining areas of violent criminal gangs.
Security forces neutralise two notorious bandits in Benue clearance operation
Gunmen abduct worshipper in Oyo community
By: Zagazola Makama
Gunmen have abducted a worshipper from a mosque in Gbonkan Village, Ipapo, Itesiwaju Local Government Area.
Sources said that the victim, identified as Amadu Usman, was kidnapped on Monday night while praying at the mosque alongside his elder brother, Adamu Usman.
The sources said seven armed men invaded the mosque at about 9 p.m. and whisked the victim away to an unknown destination.
The sources said that a joint team of security forces, Amotekun Corps, vigilantes and local hunters had since launched a search-and-rescue operation, combing surrounding bushes to track down the suspects and rescue the victim.
Gunmen abduct worshipper in Oyo community
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA repel bandit attack in Malumfashi, Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, in collaboration with the Police, Community Watch Corps and local vigilantes, have repelled a bandit attack in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Sources said that the incident happened on Tuesday evening when armed bandits launched an attack on a hunters’ camp in Naalma village.
According to the sources, the troops and other security operatives responded swiftly to a distress call and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to withdraw.
“During the operation, Usman Lawal, 35, the Commander of the Hunters’ group, sustained fatal injuries. One of the bandits was neutralised while the rifle earlier seized from the hunters’ commander was recovered.
“Other fleeing bandits are suspected to have escaped with gunshot wounds. Troops are currently conducting cordon-and-search operations within the area,”said the sources.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA repel bandit attack in Malumfashi, Katsina
Security forces neutralise two notorious bandits in Benue clearance operation
Gunmen abduct worshipper in Oyo community
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA repel bandit attack in Malumfashi, Katsina
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