United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has commended the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, over the pardon granted to Sunday Jackson.
Naijaonpoint reports that Jackson had been sentenced to death for killing a herder in what was described as self-defence.
Jackson, a local farmer from Don village in Demsa Local Government Area, was attacked on his farm in 2015, an incident that resulted in a fatal altercation and his subsequent arrest.
He had spent over a decade in custody before the Supreme Court upheld a death sentence for the killing, a ruling that ignited national debate on the rights to self‑defense and justice.
However, he was granted a pardon by Governor Fintiri on Monday.
The pardon was signed on Monday under Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution, following sustained appeals from community leaders and the victim’s family for clemency.
Following the pardon, Moore praised Fintiri for the decision, noting that it is a testament to the fact that discussions between the American and Nigerian governments are yielding intended results.
The American lawmaker, however, demanded that the government must ensure Sunday’s safety during and following his release.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as the demonstrated willingness by his administration to work with the US on addressing the persecution of Christians.
The congressman noted that he had been vocal in his calls seeking the release of Sunday.
“Sunday Jackson is free! After more than a decade in prison serving a death sentence for defending himself, Sunday Jackson has been pardoned. Sunday is a Christian farmer who, like countless of other Christians in Nigeria, was brutally attacked by an Islamic radical. Sunday fought back in self-defense, killing his attacker. I have been advocating for Sunday’s release both in public and in private meetings, including during my recent Congressional Delegation visit to Nigeria.
“There is much more to do, but I continue to see positive steps that my concerns and the concerns of President Trump are being taken seriously by the Nigerian government. I want to thank President Tinubu for his administration’s willingness to engage in continued constructive discussions with the U.S. Government on establishing a strategic security framework between our two countries to tackle the multifaceted security challenges facing Nigeria. The Nigerian government at the Federal and State level must ensure Sunday’s safety during and following his release.
“Our Lord came to set the captives free, and now Sunday will be able to celebrate Christmas with his family. Thanks be to God!,” he wrote on his 𝕏 account on Wednesday.