Man sentenced to d3ath for k!lling herdsmen through self defence

In a controversial decision, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld the death sentence of Sunday Jackson, a farmer convicted of ki!lling a Fulani herdsman in what he claims was an act of self-defense

The ruling, delivered today, comes a decade after Jackson’s initial imprisonment, sparking outrage among legal experts who argue that the case represents a grave miscarriage of justice.

Jackson was attacked with a knife by the herdsman and sustained injuries during the struggle. Despite his wounds, he managed to wrestle the weapon away and used it to defend himself, resulting in the herdsman’s death. However, instead of being recognized as acting in self-preservation, Jackson was arrested, spent seven years in pre-trial detention, and was sentenced to death in 2021.

His appeal, based on constitutional violations, highlighted significant irregularities, including prolonged delays in judgment and allegations of bias by the presiding judge.

One of the most glaring procedural errors in Jackson’s trial was the breach of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which mandates that judgments must be delivered within 90 days of final arguments. Court records show:

• Jackson testified on February 27, 2020, and the case was adjourned for final written arguments on August 27, 2020.
• The judgment, however, was not delivered until February 10, 2021—a delay of 167 days, far exceeding the constitutional limit.

Under Nigeria’s Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), such a delay can render the judgment voidable, particularly when it results in a miscarriage of justice.

Legal analysts also criticize the trial judge, Justice Fatima Ahmed Tafida, for allegedly inserting personal opinions into the ruling rather than relying on evidence. The judge ruled that Jackson “had the option to flee” rather than fight back—despite clear evidence that he had already been stabbed in the leg and was physically unable to escape.

Legal experts argue that the judgment contradicts established principles of self-defense, a right recognized universally. Many believe Jackson should never have been charged with murder and, at most, should have faced a manslaughter charge.

“This is a textbook case of how justice should not work,” said a senior human rights lawyer. “A man who fought for his life against a violent attacker has been abandoned by the very system meant to protect him.”

Critics accuse multiple institutions—including the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Attorney General’s office, the trial judge, and the Legal Aid Council—of failing to ensure a fair trial.

The ruling has ignited nationwide outrage, with civil society groups and legal scholars calling for urgent judicial reforms. Many fear that the verdict sets a dangerous precedent, discouraging self-defense in rural communities that frequently experience violent attacks.

As Jackson faces execution, legal advocates are pushing for an urgent review of his case, warning that upholding the judgment will further erode public trust in Nigeria’s justice system.

“This is not just about one man,” a human rights activist stated. “This judgment tells ordinary Nigerians that their right to defend themselves means nothing in the eyes of the law.”

For now, Jackson remains on death row—his fate sealed by a legal system that many believe has failed him.

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