A death row inmate, Mr Sunday Jackson, who was sentenced to death by the Supreme Court earlier this year, is set to regain his freedom on Thursday after Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri granted him a pardon on Tuesday. The Commissioner for Justice, Afraimu Jingi, told PUNCH in an exclusive interview on Thursday that all administrative procedures for Jackson’s release were concluded on Wednesday. Fintiri said the decision followed recommendations from the Adamawa State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, citing good conduct and significant behavioural improvement by the inmates. In November 2025, a member of the United States House of Representatives, Riley Moore, called on the Nigerian government to pardon Jackson, describing the killing as an act of self-defence. Moore argued that Jackson had acted to protect his life during the confrontation and questioned the fairness of imposing the death penalty under such circumstances.

Source: Punch December 25, 2025 19:44 UTC