Death Sentence: Bishop Dunia Pleads Pardon for Farmer Over the Killing Herdsmen
Renowned clergyman, Bishop, Gabriel Ghiakhomo Dunia, Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately proclaim unconditional pardon for Mr. Sunday Jackson, the student/ farmer who was recently sentenced to death by hanging by the supreme court.
Bishop Dunia, who spoke with newsmen at his residence in Auchi Etsako West LGA, wondered why a man who acted in self-defence against a charged herder who would have been killed eventually should be killed as ordered by the Apex court.
His words;
“Every now and then, the courts in Nigeria deliver judgments that really sadden sane minds. Many truly do not appreciate what these terrible judgments do to our image in the international community. What is wrong with us as a people?
“First and foremost, the Constitution did not outlaw self-defense. Not at all. The law did not ask Nigerians to simply wait for any aggressor to kill them. If during an attack, one can defend himself from someone or some persons who obviously would kill him or her if there is no superior resistance and in the process, the resister inflicts a blow that leads to the death of the attacker, should the resister be jailed talk more of hanging? How will the Judges explain to God that the person who defended himself against a killer must die by hanging? This is a miscarriage of justice.
” The Catholic Bishops sometime ago took a position on this. I’m personally towing the same line. That young man has suffered enough already just for not submitting himself to be killed by a vicious herder. He did not commit murder. He defended himself from someone who would have killed him eventually. The president should please pardon Mr. Jackson so he can be released to his family immediately.
“All over the country, we are aware of the atrocities of herders. The thousands of helpless farmers so far killed by these people. They’d intentionally lead their herds of cattle into farmlands and eat up the crops. Whoever challenges them hardly lives to tell the story. They go about outlawed weapons and freely use them on defenseless farmers. Even in my locality here, farmers have been killed, women have been raped, and many have been abducted for ransom allegedly by herdsmen. Some were still killed after payment of ransom. A man who was said to have been stabbed first severally by the herder decided to defend himself, and now, the Supreme Court says he must die by hanging. If the herder had killed him, nothing would have happened to the killer just like nothing has happened to those who have been killing and still unleashing horror and terror on innocent farmers.
“Is it not disturbing that the court says he should have run for his life? A man who we heard had already been stabbed in the leg should have fled from his attacker? How is he supposed to run? Is it not obvious that the aggressor would have caught up with him to slaughter him? This is a very malicious verdict. A total miscarriage of justice. The president should grant him a pardon immediately.
” If the herder had not led his cows into his farm, the incident wouldn’t have happened. If the herder had left immediately Mr. Jackson pleaded with him to leave his farm, the ugly incident would have been avoided”
The Bishop appealed to all Judges and law enforcement agents to always be guided by the fear of God Almighty who’s the ultimate Judge. He sees and hears all that goes on in the universe.
“To be a Judge or a lawyer or a law enforcement agent is a privilege with a huge responsibility. The Judges and law enforcement agents, especially have the power of life and death. They must be careful and circumspect in the discharge of their duties.
” If for whatever reason they engage in miscarriage of justice by jailing a person that is not supposed to be jailed or order the killing of a person that is not supposed to be killed, God, the ultimate Judge, will ask questions and deliver his own verdict on the day of judgment. Luckily, the major religions here do believe in the existence of God and the day of judgment.
“All over the country, prisons are jam-packed. Some of the inmates are innocent, defenseless people who are kept there unjustly. Possibly by those stronger than they are. The Judges and the policemen are often instrumental in such mind-boggling situations. Many innocent people in the past have been executed in error.
” By all means, a man who defends himself from a killer shouldn’t be jailed or killed.
“Who is in this country that is not aware of the evil of killer herdsmen and other terrorists? Their horrific exploits across the country, especially in North Central and Southern Nigeria, remain the major reason behind the apathy that has become of the farming occupation. Who will go to the farm to work when he or she is not likely to come back alive? Are we still wondering why there is hunger in the land?
“Every Wednesday here is always filled with people seeking help. Whenever they come, we give them whatever is available. If the bushes were safe, they would go and farm to and would be able to feed themselves and sell the rest to do other things like sending their children to school”
The Bishop appealed to the government and law enforcement agents to protect farmers and all Nigerians because that is their basic responsibility.
According to him, no nation, enmeshed in the fear of insecurity can grow or prosper. He called on relevant authorities to, by all means, stop the rampaging herdsmen across the land and bring to justice whoever has brought horror to farmers and farming.
“Please Mr. President, protect Nigerians. Stop this menace before the country explodes. Pardon Mr. Jackson. Let the orientation against grazing on farmlands be loud. Both farmers and herders are in business. Nobody should encroach anybody’s and the law takes care of all lawless people.
“Let owners of animals ranch their animals. That is what is done in developed countries. Even in many African countries, this is the norm. Ranched animals breed more and better. Herders would rest more, their families would be in one place, and children would go to school. This is the way to go. Enough of bloodshed in Nigeria,” he said.
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