In response to the accidental shooting death of a farmer, Abdulrahman Sani, by a stray bullet fired by Customs agents on the lookout for smugglers, the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division, has awarded N100 million in damages against Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The tragedy occurred on November 10, 2020, and the late Sani was slain while traveling to his land.
The relatives of the deceased went to court after multiple attempts to negotiate the conditions of compensation with NCS did not produce the intended outcome.
The Customs agency was ordered by the court to pay the deceased person's family the ₦100 Million.
However, the NCS opted to seek further resolution from the Court of Appeal, Sokoto division.
The appellate court confirmed the lower court's decision to award damages in the amount of N100 million.
On July 21, 2023, a panel of appeal court justices presided over by Justice Muhammad Maiwada upheld the High Court's earlier decision.
According to the court, Abdulrahman's killing was illegal and violated his fundamental right to life, which was protected by Section 33 Subsection 1 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.
It commanded the respondents to write to the applicant and publicly apologize for violating the applicant's fundamental right to life.
The appellate court further mandated that the respondents pay N100 million for the breach of that deceased fundamental right to life.
Mallam Muhammad Sani, the father of the deceased, responded by praising the verdict and characterizing it as a pleasant balm that will relieve the grief of losing a child.
He said: “I am happy as a father and the two wives and five children of the deceased are also happy with the judgment upholding the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court. We commend the Nigerian judicial system, the judges and lawyers who contributed immensely towards ensuring justice isserved, and protect the vulnerable and poor people like us.
“My son was on his way to farm, on November 10, along Bunza-Kamba Road in Fingilla village of Dandi Local Council, when he was unlawfully killed by personnel of the NCS on patrol.”
