Court Awards Widow ₦200 Million Over Police Killing of Husband

The Federal High Court in Abuja has awarded ₦200 million in damages to the widow of a truck driver allegedly killed by a police officer, ruling that the deceased’s constitutional right to life was unlawfully violated.

Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Thursday, July 2, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1292/2022, filed by Balkisu Babai following the death of her husband, Mallam Kabiru Babai, who was shot by Moses Samuel in Osun State in 2021.

The court held that the widow successfully established that her husband’s fundamental right to life, as guaranteed under Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, had been violated.

The court awarded ₦200 million against the Nigeria Police Force as compensation for the unlawful killing.

Justice Lifu ruled that the evidence before the court supported the applicant’s claim that the deceased’s constitutional rights had been breached.

The judge held that the applicant had established “that her husband’s fundamental right to life under Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights was unlawfully violated.”

In addition to the monetary award, the court directed the Inspector-General of Police to immediately commence disciplinary and criminal proceedings over the incident.

Justice Lifu also ordered the Commissioner of Police in Osun State to ensure the prosecution of Samuel for his alleged role in the killing.

The court ordered the police authorities to “immediately commence the prosecution of Samuel over the killing.”

Babai, a truck driver, Islamic cleric and philanthropist, was reportedly shot and killed in Osun State in 2021, prompting his widow to institute a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, and other respondents.

The judgment reaffirmed the constitutional protection of the right to life and underscored the responsibility of law enforcement officers to act within the limits of the law in the discharge of their duties.

The ruling also reinforces judicial oversight of alleged human rights violations and holds security agencies accountable where unlawful use of force is established before the court.