The Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division, has ruled that Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) must pay N100 million in damages for the death of a farmer named Abdulrahman Sani.
Abdulrahman was killed by a stray bullet fired by Customs operatives who were pursuing smugglers while he was on his way to his farm on November 10, 2020.
The family of the deceased attempted to negotiate compensation with the NCS but failed to reach a satisfactory resolution, leading them to seek legal action.
In response, the court ordered the NCS to pay N100 million to the family as compensation for their loss. Dissatisfied with this ruling, the NCS appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal, Sokoto division.
However, the appellate court upheld the earlier verdict of the High Court, affirming the award of N100 million in damages.
The panel of appeal court justices, headed by Justice Muhammad Maiwada on July 21, 2023, stated that Abdulrahman’s killing was unlawful and violated his fundamental right to life as guaranteed under Section 33 Subsection 1 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
Additionally, the court ordered the NCS to issue a written public apology to the family for violating the deceased’s fundamental right to life.
The deceased’s father, Mallam Muhammad Sani, expressed his satisfaction with the judgment, believing that it provides some comfort in the face of losing his 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.”
