U.S Congressman Moore hails pardon of Nigerian farmer on death row for killing herder

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

US Congressman Riley M. Moore has described the pardon granted Sunday Jackson, a farmer in Adamawa State who has been death row for killing a herder as a demonstration of willingness by President Bola Tinubu and his government to work with the United States to address alleged persecution of Christians in the country.

Recall that Riley M. Moore has been at the vanguard of the calls for release of Sunday Jackson who was sentenced to death for killing a herder in his farm for self defence.

Jackson claimed that the herder had attempted to kill him with his knife.

But he was able to wrestle him to the ground, snatched the knife and use it to kill him.

Critics argued that the death sentence on Sunday Jackson was unmerited as the farmer was only defending himself against the herder who had attempted to kill him.

Riley M. Moore had raised the issue of Sunday Jackson during Congressional hearings, in media interviews, and in private meetings with senior Nigerian officials including meetings in Washington D.C. and during his Congressional Delegation visit to Nigeria.

However, Jackson was granted pardon by the by Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri on Tuesday, thus, paving the way for his release from prison after 11 years.

Fintiri, exercising his constitutional prerogative of mercy, granted Jackson a full pardon as part of Christmas and New Year’s Day celebrations.

The Adamawa governor said the pardon followed recommendations from the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy and was informed by Jackson’s conduct while in custody.

A positive development

Moore, said Sunday Jackson’s release is a positive development in the relationship between the Nigerian government and the United States.

He however added that the Federal and Adamawa State Government must work together to ensure Sunday’s safety during and following his release.

Riley More said:

“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!”