By Tgnews
In a heartbreaking ruling on Friday, March 7, 2025, the Nigerian Supreme Court (NSC) upheld the death sentence of Mr. Sunday Jackson, a Christian farmer convicted in a controversial self-defense case.
Now, Dr. William Terrence Devlin, an American pastor and globally recognized human rights advocate, is spearheading a powerful campaign for Jackson’s release, calling the verdict a “gross travesty of justice” and a violation of fundamental human rights.
Dr. Devlin, CEO of WidowsAndOrphans, appeared on Nigeria’s national news channel ARISE NEWS and attended the NSC hearing in Abuja alongside his Nigerian-American colleague, Barrister Emmanuel Ogebe of the US Nigeria Law Group PLLC.
The duo has been vocal in their condemnation of the ruling, which sentences Jackson to death by hanging for defending himself against a violent attack by a Fulani Muslim herdsman in 2015.
Mr. Sunday Jackson, a Christian farmer, was violently attacked by a Fulani herdsman with a knife in 2015
Speaking passionately about the case, Dr. Devlin stated:
“Mr. Sunday Jackson, a Christian farmer, was violently attacked by a Fulani herdsman with a knife in 2015. Despite sustaining injuries, Jackson overpowered his attacker, wresting the weapon from him and stabbing him in a clear act of self-defense.
Tragically, the herdsman died. Fulani tribal members have a documented history of attacking and killing Christian farmers, particularly in Nigeria’s northern states.
In a gross travesty of justice, Jackson was sentenced to death in 2021 after languishing in prison for seven years. Regrettably, today the Supreme Court upheld this sentence—10 years after the incident.”
During his imprisonment, Jackson has suffered the abandonment of his family since he was wrongly accused
Jackson’s ordeal began a decade ago when he was imprisoned following the altercation. In February 2021, Devlin and Ogebe visited him at Yola State Prison in Adamawa, where they prayed with him and witnessed firsthand the toll of his prolonged detention.
“During his imprisonment, Jackson has suffered the abandonment of his family since he was wrongly accused,” Devlin added.
The case has drawn international outrage, with Devlin emphasizing its broader implications:
“Today, in a huge violation of human rights, the Nigerian Supreme Court ruled against this innocent man.
Jackson’s case has reached a level of international concern
We were in the NSC courtroom in Abuja when the verdict was read. Jackson’s case has reached a level of international concern.
We were there to remind Nigeria that their government’s injustice against Christians has reached a suffering pitch, and the eyes of the world—and the United States—are upon Nigeria. Our hope is that the governor of Jackson’s home state, Adamawa, will grant clemency to this innocent man.”
The Supreme Court’s decision comes despite significant legal irregularities in Jackson’s trial.
According to the Appellant’s brief, the High Court of Yola delivered its judgment on February 10, 2021—167 days after the adoption of final addresses on August 27, 2020. This far exceeds the 90-day limit mandated by Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution for delivering judgments, rendering the ruling potentially void or voidable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act if a miscarriage of justice occurred.
Jackson’s trial, which spanned six years for what should have been a straightforward case, was riddled with delays and inconsistencies
Legal experts argue this is precisely what happened. Jackson’s trial, which spanned six years for what should have been a straightforward case, was riddled with delays and inconsistencies.
The trial judge, Justice Fatima Ahmed Tafida, is accused of substituting personal opinion for evidence, including suggesting Jackson should have fled the attack despite admitting he was stabbed in the leg—an injury that impaired his mobility.
The Appellant’s brief further asserts that Jackson’s constitutional right to self-defense was unjustly denied.
Self-defense is a fundamental right recognized universally
“This is a classic case that should have ended with the Director of Public Prosecutions’ advice and never reached a murder charge,” the brief states. “Self-defense is a fundamental right recognized universally. At worst, a manslaughter charge should have been considered.”
Critics argue the prolonged delay between arguments and judgment—nearly double the constitutional limit—clouded the judge’s recollection of the facts, leading to a ruling that defies logic and justice. “The trial judge contorted logic by saying Jackson should have run while acknowledging he was handicapped,” the brief notes.
Dr. Devlin and Barrister Ogebe are now urging global leaders, human rights organizations, and the Nigerian government to intervene. “This is a sad day for Nigerians,” Devlin concluded. “Their ability to protect themselves from violent attackers has been further diminished.”
As the world watches, pressure is mounting on Adamawa’s governor to grant clemency and rectify what many see as a profound miscarriage of justice. For Sunday Jackson, a farmer who fought to survive, the clock is ticking.
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