Court Awards N200M to Widow Over Police Killing
On December 3, 2021, Babai, a truck driver, was killed by police officers while repairing his broken-down truck on the Ota-Efun-Osogbo road. Following the incident, Balkisu, Babai's widow, filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the police service, the Inspector General of Police, and Sergeant Mose Samuel, seeking N2 billion in compensation.
Justice Peter Lifu ruled that the police's actions violated Babai's constitutional right to life as guaranteed under Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. The court awarded Balkisu N200 million in compensatory and exemplary damages and ordered the Inspector General of Police and the Osun State Command to commence prosecution against Sergeant Samuel.
However, the court declined to compel the Attorney General of the Federation to institute criminal proceedings against the police sergeant, despite the police authorities having indicted him since August 2022.
Plus234Feed summary based on reporting from Punch Newspapers. Read the original report below.
Read full article
Continue on Punch Newspapers
Get the week in one email
Top stories, NPFL results, the naira — every Friday morning. Free, one email a week.
Related Stories
Court Awards N100M for Death of Medical Rep in Custody
Appeal Court Upholds N5 Million Damages Against Police
Supreme Court Upholds N10m Damages for Delta Residents
Kano State Supports Family of Slain Police Officer
Family Lawyer Questions NAF's Prolonged Probe into Death
Kaduna State to Support Family of Murdered Teacher
Get Plus234Feed on messaging apps
Same headlines, delivered where you already scroll.
