The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has awarded N70 million to the family of a nursing mother killed by a stray bullet fired by the Nigerian police, concluding over 20 years of litigation.
In a landmark ruling on Friday, Justice G. Olotu ordered the police to pay N10 million in general damages, N50 million in punitive damages, and N10 million for legal costs to a 24-year-old man whose mother was fatally shot in 2000.
Margaret Achalla was bathing her baby in the Utako area of Abuja when a stray bullet fired by a uniformed police officer struck her. Instead of taking her to the hospital, the officers fled, leaving her to bleed to death.
Rights lawyer and activist Abubakar Marshal of Falana and Falana Chambers took on the case in 2001, suing the police for damages. The lawsuit was supported by compelling evidence, including the extracted bullet, photographs of the injury, x-ray reports, medical records, and hospital invoices.
Given the substantial evidence presented, Justice Olotu ruled that Achalla’s death was unlawful and unconstitutional. He awarded a total of N70 million against the police, comprising N10 million in general damages, N50 million in punitive damages, and N10 million for litigation costs. Additionally, he mandated that the police pay a five percent interest on the awarded damages until fully settled.
