Court orders police to pay N200m for killing Abuja cleric
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- A Nigerian court has ordered the Nigeria Police Force to pay N200 million in compensation for the unlawful killing of Mallam Kabiru Babai.
- The court declared the killing unlawful, citing a violation of Babai's constitutional right to life.
- The deceased was allegedly shot by a police sergeant in 2021 after questioning an altercation between officers and a truck driver.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has awarded 200 million naira (approximately $130,000 USD) against the Nigeria Police Force for the unlawful killing of Mallam Kabiru Babai. The landmark judgment was delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu.
The fundamental right to life of the applicant’s husband was unlawfully violated by the conduct of the 4th respondent.
The lawsuit was filed by Mr. Okpi Adaafu on behalf of the Muslim Community of Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja. Justice Lifu stated that the applicant had proven the case, affirming that the "fundamental right to life of the applicant’s husband was unlawfully violated by the conduct of the 4th respondent." The court found that the declaratory reliefs sought were founded on constitutional violations and therefore succeeded.
"The gravity of the violation and its devastating consequences on the widow and children must be taken into account," the judge emphasized, awarding compensatory and exemplary damages. The court also ordered the prosecution of Sgt. Moses Samuel, who allegedly shot Babai, and other officers involved. However, the court refused a relief seeking to compel the attorney-general to institute criminal proceedings against Samuel directly.
The gravity of the violation and its devastating consequences on the widow and children must be taken into account.
Babai, a truck driver, imam, philanthropist, and family breadwinner, was reportedly killed on December 3, 2021. According to court documents, he was fixing his truck when police officers arrived and engaged in an argument with the driver. When Babai questioned the shooting of a co-driver, he was allegedly beaten and then shot in the chest by Sgt. Samuel, dying at the scene. The officers fled, but bystanders apprehended one and took him, along with Babai's body, to the police command. Despite police indictment of Samuel for murder, he had not been prosecuted, and Babai's family received no support until the lawsuit was filed.
The judgment is so entered.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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