Christmas: Adamawa governor grants pardon to Jackson, remits sentences of five
Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has marked the Christmas and New Year celebrations with a sweeping act of mercy, granting a full pardon to a death row inmate and ordering the remission of sentences for several other prisoners across custodial centres in the country.
Among those pardoned is Sunday Jackson, who had been sentenced to death and was being held at the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abuja. His name topped a short list of beneficiaries whose freedom was approved by the governor in what officials described as a gesture of compassion and rehabilitation during the festive season.
Also receiving full pardons are Joseph Eugene, detained at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Yola, and Maxwell Ibrahim, who has been serving his sentence at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kaduna. Their release brings an end to years behind bars following a review of their conduct and records while in custody.
In addition to the pardons, Governor Fintiri ordered the remission of the remaining jail terms of five other inmates. Those affected include Joshua James Audo, Adamu Ibrahim, Mohammed Abubakar, Ibrahim Usman and Saidu Abubakar, who are serving sentences at the Medium Security Custodial Centres in Numan and Jada. The decision effectively clears the way for their release after authorities confirmed they had served substantial portions of their sentences.
The governor said the inmates had shown significant improvement in their behaviour, discipline and overall conduct during their years in custody, making them eligible for mercy under the law.
Speaking on the decision, Fintiri said he was exercising his constitutional powers in line with established procedures and expert recommendations. He explained that the approvals followed careful consideration by the Adamawa State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
“Therefore, in the exercise of my prerogative of mercy as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and in line with the recommendations of the Adamawa State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, I have granted pardon to three persons and directed the remission of the remainder of the sentences of five others,” the governor said.
The announcement, signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Humwashi Wonosikou, on December 23, 2025, is expected to bring relief to the affected inmates and their families, while reinforcing the administration’s emphasis on reform, rehabilitation and second chances during the season of goodwill.