Sunday Jackson’s victim’s father writes Adamawa Gov after family mediation facilitated by Emir of Numan
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Campaign for the pardon from death row of Adamawa farmer Sunday Jackson for his unintentional killing of a Fulani herdsman on his farm in self-defence has received the support of the victim’s father, Ardo Bawuro.
Jackson has recounted that he was working on his farm in Numan in 2015 when Buba Bawuro herded his animals onto him farm and allowed them to feed on his crops.
Jackson said Bawuro attacked and injured him when he tried to confront him about the situation, but that he managed to overpower and kill Bawuro.
Jackson was 20 at the time, and a farmer and student from Demsa Council in Adamawa.
A Yola High Court sentenced him to death by hanging in 2021, ruling that he should have run away instead of engaging his attacker.
The Supreme Court upheld the judgment on 7 March 2025, prompting outcry and intervention from international human rights activists, who have appealed to Adamawa Governor Umaru Fintiri for Jakson’s pardon, citing miscarriage of justice.
Jackson too has written to Fintiri for clemency, pleading unintentional killing in self-defence.
Buba’s father Ardo Bawuro weighed in at the weekend by writing a letter to Fintiri seeking pardon for Jackson, arguing that his son would not be coming back to life.
The family mediation was facilitated by the Emir of Numan, Hama Bachama, who hosted in his palace Ardo Bawuro and international human rights campaigners, Emmanuel Ogebe, a lawyer; and William Devlin, a Pastor – both of whom are based in the United States.
Ardo Bawuro’s pardon letter to Fintiri was signed in the presence of both Ogebe and Devlin who have worked on Jackson’s case for four years since his capital offence conviction in February 2021,
The letter reads:
His Excellency, Alh. Umaru Fintiri
The Executive Governor, Adamawa State
Your Excellency,
DEATH SENTENCE ON SUNDAY JACKSON BY THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA FOR MURDER OF MY SON BUBA BAWURO
On behalf of myself and my entire family members, I wish to acknowledge the good governance and the peace being enjoyed generally in the state because of the way the affairs of the state are being conducted by your Excellency.
The security situation has improved tremendously. We have been sleeping with all our eyes closed. My family appreciate this and we continue to pray for your excellency to live long.
The main reason for writing this letter is to appreciate the concern of the general public and the reactions of Nigerians and the whole world on the death sentence judgement in respect of my late son Buba Bawuro passed on Sunday Jackson.
In this regard, your excellency should count us out of the judgement passed on the victim (Sunday Jackson). My son can never wake up again.
Based on this fact, I am pleading for clemency on Sunday Jackson to be pardoned and set free.
I wish his excellency will consider my plea and my appeal granted.
Signed
Ardo Bawuro
Father of the deceased.
In reaction to the development, Ogebe, Co-convener of the Justice for Jackson Joint Freedom Task Force (JJJFT) said:
“It was an eye opening interaction for us and gives great hope for peace in the land.
We will share details of the royal meeting once the palace provides them.
“His royal majesty welcomed us and introduced us to his council of chiefs and the family members. We then rose for closer interaction with the families.
“We’re very excited at this outcome!”
More details later….
From left: Sunday Jackson’s mother, Ogebe, Devlin, and Sunday Jackson’s father.
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