SEPARATING LAW FROM SENTIMENTS: A CRITIQUE OF THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION IN SUNDAY JACKSON v THE STATE (2025) LPELR-80692(SC)

Abstract This article critically reviews the Supreme Court’s decision in Sunday Jackson v The State, exploring how legal reasoning can either be enriched or impaired by sentiments. It examines the facts of the case, the legal questions considered, particularly the defence of self-defence and the basis of the court’s decision. The paper underscores the court’s judicial responsibility of upholding legal principles over emotional appeals, particularly in criminal matters. It also highlights the danger of sentiment overshadowing legal reasoning, especially in a country like Nigeria with a complex socio-cultural landscape, while underscoring the place of sentiment in the adjudicative process. Finally, the paper offers recommendations for ensuring that courts remain impartial arbiters, with fidelity to the rule of law.