By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Justice for Jackson Joint Freedom Task Force (JJJFT) on Tuesday, December 31, 2025, launched an N11 million fundraising campaign to support Sunday Jackson, the Adamawa State farmer recently released from death row after spending 11 years in prison for an act widely described as self-defence.

The task force said the target of N11 million symbolically represents the 11 years Jackson spent behind bars and aims to help him rebuild his life, support his children, and access education after years of confinement. Donations are being received through a dedicated account: Zenith Bank, Account Number 1311162546, Hope Behind Bars – Sunday Jackson.

Jackson, a Christian farmer, was attacked on his farm in 2015 by a herdsman who allegedly stabbed him twice. In defending himself, Jackson stabbed the attacker, who later died. Despite what human rights advocates described as extenuating circumstances, Jackson was convicted and sentenced to death, a judgment that drew widespread condemnation from civil society, legal experts, journalists, and international advocates.

“While the criminal justice system failed to adequately uphold the right to life as guaranteed under the Constitution, we deeply appreciate Governor Fintiri’s decision, which has now corrected a grave injustice through the instrumentality of mercy,” the task force said in a statement.

Governor Adamu Fintiri of Adamawa State granted Jackson a pardon under his constitutional prerogative of mercy last week, following recommendations from the Adamawa State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy. “In the exercise of my prerogative of mercy… I have granted pardon to three persons including Sunday Jackson,” Fintiri said.

The task force also highlighted the personal toll of Jackson’s incarceration: he was unable to complete secondary school, lost his wife while in prison, saw his family home destroyed, and endured separation from his children and parents. One of his daughters reportedly suffered severe malnutrition during this period.

JJJFT commended the journalists, human rights lawyers, lawmakers, faith leaders, and international advocates who kept Jackson’s case in the public eye, including ARISE TV, Channels Television, the National Human Rights Commission, Punch newspaper, and U.S. Congressman Riley Moore, among others.

“While we believe this is the responsibility of government, what happened to him was done in our name. As citizens, we should help make amends,” the task force said, urging all Nigerians to contribute and support Jackson’s reintegration.

The campaign marks a continuing effort by civil society to ensure that justice, when delayed, is accompanied by tangible support for victims. “Justice was delayed, but mercy has now prevailed,” the task force concluded.

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