“Sunday Jackson is free! After more than a decade in prison serving a death sentence for defending himself, Sunday Jackson has been pardoned,” Moore, who has emerged as one of Capitol Hill’s most vocal advocates for Christians in Nigeria, wrote in a statement Tuesday.
“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.”
Fintiri’s chief press secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, announced Jackson’s pardon on Tuesday, saying the move was done “in commemoration of Christmas and New Year celebrations.”
“Jackson who is in Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre has been pardoned alongside Joseph Eugene from the Medium Security Custodial Centre Yola new and Maxwell Ibrahim serving at the Medium Security Custodial Center in Kaduna,” Wonosikou said in a statement, according to Peoples Gazette.
Jackson says he was working on his farm in Numan when the deceased herded his animals onto Jackson's farm. The farmer says Bawuro attacked when he tried to confront him about the situation, but the farmer managed to overpower and kill the man.
In 2021, an Adamawa High Court judge ruled that Jackson should have fled the scene rather than kill the attacker. He was sentenced to death by hanging, a ruling that was upheld in March by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Among those advocating for Jackson’s release have been human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe of the US Nigeria Law Group and United States-based Pastor William Devlin, volunteer CEO of the nonprofit charities REDEEM! and Widows & Orphans, who travels the world to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians.
“Sunday Jackson our Christian brother in Nigeria has been pardoned,” Devlin wrote on Facebook. “Barrister Ogebe & Rev Devlin worked as team … we Give God all glory/credit!”
In March, Devlin made headlines when he offered his life in exchange for Jackson’s while speaking with reporters after the Supreme Court upheld his sentencing.
"I see it as obedience to the Scripture," the pastor told The Christian Post. "Jesus Messiah did it for me. He went to the cross, and I have a new life because of that. So why wouldn't I do that for someone else?"
Originally published by The Christian Post
