Justice: Nigerian Court awards N210m damages to victims of Police brutality

*A Federal High Court sitting in Bauchi State has delivered a landmark judgement in favour of three victims of Police brutality and extrajudicial killing in the state

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

For torturing accused persons to death following an allegation of stealing chickens, a Federal High Court sitting in Bauchi State, Northern Nigeria, has delivered a landmark judgement in favour of three victims of Police brutality and extrajudicial killing in the state.

The court was convinced that two of the victims: Ibrahim Babangida and Ibrahim Sama’Ila, were tortured to death by the Police after being accused of stealing 24 chickens belonging to a retired Police officer, Channels TV report said.

Justice Hassan Dikko, Presiding Judge, in his ruling Friday, March 26 awarded the sum of N100 million each to the families of the deceased as compensation.

The only surviving victim, 30-year-old Abdulwahab Bello, was also awarded N10 million compensation for the brutality, senseless arrest, and torture he suffered at the hands of the officers.

The events that led to the judgement began with an allegation of chicken theft against the victims on July 21, 2020, report stated.

Bello and his late friends were indicted in the crime, after which they were arrested and detained at the Township Division “A” Police Station in Bauchi.

He recalled how certain Superintendent Baba Ali, who was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at the time, used a pestle to torture him and his two friends who died as a result of the brutality.

The 30-year-old man, who now limps, said: “He hit Ibrahim continuously until his last breath.”

Bello and the families of his late friends, who filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Bauchi condemned the action of the Police.

Joined as respondents were Ali, certain Sergeant Jibrin Mohammed, Commissioner of Police in Bauchi; Inspector General of Police, and Police Service Commission.

Five months after the suit was filed, Justice Dikko delivered the final judgement and ruled that there was a clear case of extrajudicial killing.

According to the judge, the action of the police amounts to the infringement of the victims’ fundamental human right to dignity.

In his reaction to the judgement, Babangida Ibrahim, father of one of the late victims, said: “Justice has been served and I am happy but for the children who lost their lives, I pray for the repose of their souls.”

Hajara Ismai’l, mother of the other victims, also stated that she had lost hope of getting justice, but thanked the court for the milestone judgement.

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