In a significant judgment delivered by the Plateau State High Court, justice was served in the case of late Rinji Peter Bala, a young man who was tragically shot by a police officer in May 2020. The court ruled in favor of the deceased’s family, awarding a substantial nine-figure sum in damages, declaring that his fundamental right to life had been violated by the actions of the security personnel involved.
The court found the respondents liable for violating the fundamental right to life, awarding compensation to the family of Rinji Bala, who was represented by V.M.G. Pwul Esq. The ruling was a resounding condemnation of the actions of the officer responsible for the fatal shooting.
The ruling, handed down on October 15, 2024, by Hon. Justice N.D. Shaseet, condemned the actions of the police officers involved in the incident and ordered compensation to the family of Rinji Bala for the breach of his right to life. The court also instructed the respondents to issue a public apology to the family, recognizing the irreparable loss caused by the fatal shooting.
Rinji Bala, a promising young man, was shot on May 12, 2020, by a security officer after being arrested along with his friends near the Hwolshe area of Jos, Plateau State. According to reports, Bala and his friends were apprehended, searched, and taken into custody despite no incriminating evidence being found. After being beaten and released, they were told to run, at which point Rinji was shot, leading to his immediate death.
The case has been closely followed since the tragic incident, with many calling for accountability and justice for Bala’s family. The court’s ruling serves as a significant step in addressing the unlawful actions of security personnel and reinforces the importance of upholding citizens’ fundamental rights.
In his remarks, V.M.G Pwul Esq., representing the family, expressed hope that this ruling would serve as a deterrent to negligent security forces, stating, “We hope that this judgment will serve as a deterrent to trigger-happy and dangerously negligent uniformed men, and provide some measure of comfort to the deceased’s family.”
The judgment also serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability within security agencies, with the court emphasizing the need for such violations to be addressed to prevent future occurrences. The ruling is seen as a victory for human rights advocacy and a step towards ensuring justice for victims of extrajudicial killings.
The court’s judgment declared, “The shooting and killing of the Applicants’ son, Rinji Peter Bala, by the 3rd Respondent, an agent of the 1st and 2nd Respondents on May 12, 2020, is a breach of the fundamental right to life as enshrined in Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.” The court’s went on to award a substantial nine-figure sum in damages to the family of Late Rinji Peter Bala.
The judgment underscores the court’s commitment to safeguarding human rights and ensuring that the actions of security personnel are held to account when they violate those rights. This ruling is a pivotal moment in the fight against police brutality and a call for more responsible conduct from law enforcement officers across the country.
SOURCE: MATTHEW TEGHA
