A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has ordered the police authorities to pay a cumulative sum of N300 million to the parents of three Shiite members killed by its officers.
They dead persons – Jafar Magaji, Aliyu Lawal and Muhsin Badamasi – were allegedly gunned down while on Islamic procession in Zaria, in 2022.
Justice Buhari, in the judgement with a certified true copy made available to newsmen Sunday in Abuja, consolidated the three separate suits filed by the three next-of-kin of the deceased.
In the judgment, Justice Hawa Buhari held that the “applicants’ rights as guaranteed under Sections 33, 38, 39, 40, 42 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended); Order 2, Rules 1, 2, 3, 4, 11 and 12 of the Fundamental Right (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009; Article 4, 8, 10, 11 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights 2004 is hereby enforced.”
The judge held further that the sum of N100 million which must be paid to each parents of the deceased, making a total of N300 million, as compensation and general damages, would attract a 10 per cent interest per annum until the amount is fully paid.
“Upon respective counsel move and adopt their respective processes, the court consequently considered same and hereby orders as follows:
“Suit No: FHC/KD/CS/138/2022, Suit NO: FHC/KD/CS/140/ 2022 and Suit No: FHC/KD/CS/146/2022 are hereby consolidated.
“The sum of N100, 000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) be paid to each parent of the deceased as compensation and general damages with a 10 % interest per annum until the amount is fully paid.
“The respondents shall tender a public apology to the applicants in one national daily for the breach of their fundamental right,” she declared.
