In a shocking and controversial ruling, the Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of Sunday Jackson, a farmer who fought back against a Fulani herdsman that viciously attacked him with a knife. Despite suffering injuries in the attack, Jackson managed to disarm and stab his assailant in an act of self-defense. However, instead of being recognized as a victim who fought for his life, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to death—a judgment now affirmed after a decade-long legal battle.
This ruling has sparked widespread outrage, as legal experts point to multiple constitutional violations in Jackson’s trial, including an egregious delay in judgment. The High Court of Yola took 167 days to deliver its verdict—far exceeding the constitutional limit of 90 days rendering the judgment void or, at the very least, voidable due to a clear miscarriage of justice.
Jackson, who spent seven years in prison awaiting trial faced a prosecution that took only five court sittings to conclude, yet he remained incarcerated for years before judgment. His right to self-defense, a universally recognized legal principle, was blatantly denied, with the judge controversially ruling that he should have “fled” instead of defending himself—despite undisputed evidence that he was stabbed in the leg and physically incapacitated.
Legal analysts argue that this case should never have resulted in a murder charge, let alone a death sentence. At most, it should have been a case of manslaughter—if even that. The failure of the DPP’s office, the Attorney General, the trial judge, and the Legal Aid Council has now led to what many are calling a travesty of justice
This verdict has chilling implications, as it effectively punishes victims who dare to fight back against violent attackers. For many Nigerians, particularly those living under the constant threat of armed herdsmen attacks, this judgment is a stark reminder that the justice system may not be on their side.
As Jackson faces the gallows, the nation is left grappling with the disturbing question: Has self-defense become a crime in Nigeria?
