Hcrc's Position on the Supreme Court Judgment in the Case of Sunday Jackson

Press Statement 

Hcrc's Position on the Supreme Court Judgment in the Case of Sunday Jackson 

On March 7, 2025, the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered a controversial judgment that has sparked widespread reactions across the country. The ruling upheld the death sentence of Sunday Jackson, a man who killed an armed herdsman in what appears to have been an act of self-defense.

The Human and Community Rights Centre (HCRC), Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has yet to obtain a copy of the judgment at the time of this statement. Without the full text, we cannot comprehensively evaluate the reasoning behind the apex court’s decision. However, media reports have provided a summary of the case, which raises serious concerns about the administration of justice in Nigeria.

Brief Facts of the Case

In 2015, Sunday Jackson, a farmer and student from Dong Community in Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was working on his farm in Kodomti Community, Numan Local Government Area. During this time, a Fulani herdsman, Buba Ardo Bawuro, reportedly drove his cattle onto Jackson’s farmland, allowing them to graze on his crops.

When Jackson confronted him, the herdsman allegedly drew a knife and attacked him. Despite sustaining injuries, Jackson managed to overpower his attacker, seize the knife, and stab him in return. The herdsman succumbed to his injuries.

Instead of being recognized as an act of self-defense, Jackson was arrested and held in pre-trial detention for seven years before being sentenced to death in 2021. His appeal, which challenged the fairness of his trial and the delays in the judicial process, was ultimately dismissed.

The prosecution relied heavily on Jackson’s confessional statement, while his defense argued for his acquittal on the grounds of self-defense. In a controversial ruling, the trial court convicted Jackson of culpable homicide, reasoning—rather illogically—that since he had gained an advantage over his attacker, he should have fled instead of retaliating.

Hcrc’s Position

While the details presented above are based on media reports, one fundamental principle remains clear: The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees every citizen the right to life. Nigerian law, under both the Criminal Code and the Penal Code, provides that a person who successfully establishes self-defense in a homicide case is entitled to a full acquittal.

If the facts of this case are accurate, it raises alarming concerns about the recognition of self-defense as a basic human right in Nigeria. The principle of proportionality in self-defense law requires that a person’s response to an attack must be reasonable and made in the heat of the moment. Jackson’s actions appear to meet this legal threshold.

The Supreme Court’s judgment has understandably triggered national outrage, as it highlights fundamental weaknesses in Nigeria’s justice system. The institutions responsible for upholding the rule of law—including the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Attorney General’s office, the trial courts, and the Legal Aid Council—must be held accountable for their roles in this troubling case.

HCRC urgently calls for judicial reforms to prevent cases like this from setting dangerous precedents. Given the frequent herdsmen attacks and other security challenges in rural communities, this judgment risks discouraging legitimate acts of self-defense. Furthermore, it may significantly erode public confidence in Nigeria’s judicial system.

Conclusion 

The Nigerian justice system must ensure that no citizen is wrongfully punished for defending their life. HCRC remains committed to advocating for justice, fairness, and the protection of human rights in Nigeria.

Issued this 18th day of March, 2025.

Human and Community Rights Centre (HCRC)