PLATEAU HIGH COURT SENTENCES POLICE OFFICER TO DEATH FOR KILLING UNIVERSITY OF JOS STUDENT

PLATEAU HIGH COURT SENTENCES POLICE OFFICER TO DEATH FOR KILLING UNIVERSITY OF JOS STUDENT

A Plateau State High Court in Jos on Monday sentenced a police officer, Ruya Auta, to death by hanging or lethal injection for the killing of University of Jos (UNIJOS) student, Rinji Bala, on May 13, 2020.

Delivering the judgment, Hon. Justice David Mann found the officer guilty of violating Bala’s fundamental right to life. The sentencing marks the culmination of five years of legal efforts to seek justice for the deceased.

Addressing reporters after the ruling, counsel to the Plateau State Government, Garba Pwul (SAN), described the verdict as a significant victory for justice. “It has been five years of efforts and tenacity to bring justice to the deceased, the family, and even the government. Today, we have seen justice served,” Pwul stated.

He expressed hope that the harsh sentence would act as a deterrent to reckless behavior by security personnel. “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 senior lawyer added.

Earlier in the trial, the court awarded a substantial nine-figure sum in damages to Bala’s family, affirming that the police officer’s actions violated the late student’s fundamental human rights.

Despite the favorable ruling, Emmanuel Gyang, a friend of Bala who witnessed the shooting, voiced mixed emotions. “This judgment brings less of a sense of victory and more of a reopening of old wounds,” Gyang said, recalling the trauma of witnessing his friend’s death. “Since that day, I have felt terribly bad. Today’s judgment only re-echoes the painful memories,” he added.

Rinji Bala was fatally shot by Ruya Auta, an officer attached to the Special Task Force (STF) responsible for peacekeeping in Plateau State. The incident intensified calls for accountability and reform within the state’s security agencies.

The court’s decision sends a strong message to security operatives about the consequences of abuse of power and the importance of respecting citizens’ rights.