United States Congressman Riley Moore has welcomed the pardon granted to Adamawa farmer, Sunday Jackson, following his conviction for murder, which was upheld by Nigeria’s Supreme Court.
Moore, who previously pushed for Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern, called for Jackson’s safety after he was pardoned by Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, alongside other inmates.
Sunday Jackson had been on death row since his conviction over a 2013 incident involving a herder. According to court records, the herder allegedly attacked Jackson after he resisted cattle grazing on his farmland.
Jackson was reportedly stabbed multiple times before overpowering the assailant, taking possession of the knife and stabbing him, resulting in his death.
Efforts to overturn the conviction on the grounds of self-defence at both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court were unsuccessful.
Reacting on his official website, Congressman Moore said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was making progress in addressing concerns he had earlier raised about attacks on Christians in Nigeria.
He said while more work remained, he was encouraged by what he described as positive steps by the Nigerian government, adding that the concerns of both himself and former U.S. President Donald Trump were being taken seriously.
Moore also referenced engagements with the Trump administration following Nigeria’s re-inclusion on the Country of Particular Concern list, over allegations that the government was complicit in attacks against Christians.
He thanked President Tinubu for what he described as his administration’s willingness to engage in constructive discussions with the United States on establishing a strategic security framework to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
Sunday Jackson had been held at the Kuje Correctional Centre, near Abuja, prior to the pardon.
(Editor: Ada Ononye)
