The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigeria Police Force to pay N200 million in compensatory and exemplary damages over the unlawful killing of Kabiru Babai, an Abuja-based truck driver and imam.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu held that the applicant established her case through affidavit evidence and declared that Babai’s constitutional right to life had been violated by the actions of Sergeant Moses Samuel, a police officer attached to the Osun State Police Command.
“The fundamental right to life of the applicant’s husband was unlawfully violated,” the judge held, adding that the widow was entitled to compensation given the gravity of the violation and its impact on her family.
The suit was instituted by Okpi Adaafu on behalf of the Muslim Community of Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja, in the name of Babai’s widow, Balkisu Kabiru-Babai.
The court declared the killing unlawful and awarded N200 million against the Police Service Commission, the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, as compensation and exemplary damages.
