Federal High Court Orders Nigerian Police to Pay N70 Million in Damages To 24 Year Old Man for Unlawful Death Of His Mother After 20 Years of Legal Battle
In a landmark judgement, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has ordered the Nigerian police to pay N70 million in compensation to a 24-year-old man whose mother was killed by a police stray bullet in 2000.
Justice G. Olotu delivered the ruling on Friday, awarding N10 million in general damages, N50 million in punitive damages, and N10 million to cover litigation costs.
The tragic incident occurred in 2000 when Margaret Achalla, a nursing mother, was hit by a stray bullet while bathing her baby in the Utako area of Abuja. The bullet, fired by a uniformed police officer, caused her to collapse and bleed profusely. Shockingly, the officers involved fled the scene, leaving Achalla to die without receiving any medical attention.
The lawsuit, initiated in 2001 by rights lawyer Abubakar Marshal from Falana and Falana Chambers, relied on solid evidence, including the extracted bullet, x-rays, medical reports, and hospital bills.
After over 20 years of litigation, Justice Olotu ruled that the death of Ms. Achalla was both unlawful and unconstitutional, ordering the police to compensate her son. The court also directed that a 5% interest be applied until the full payment is made.
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