A Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos has convicted and sentenced Police Officer Ruya Auta to death by hanging or lethal injection for the unlawful killing of Rinji Bala, a student of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), on 13 May 2020.
Delivering judgment on 8 December, Hon. Justice David Mann held that the officer’s conduct amounted to a grave violation of Bala’s fundamental right to life under the 1999 Constitution, thereby warranting the ultimate penalty.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Garba Pwul, appearing for the Plateau State Government, described the ruling as the culmination of “five years of efforts and tenacity to bring justice to the deceased, his family, and the government.” He expressed hope that the judgment would serve as a deterrent to negligent and trigger‑happy security operatives who misuse their firearms.
Pwul added that the decision reinforces the principle that uniformed personnel are not above the law, and that accountability for extrajudicial killings is essential to restoring public confidence in the justice system.
Prior to the sentencing, the court had awarded substantial nine‑figure damages to Bala’s family, affirming that his constitutional right to life had been violated by the officer’s reckless actions.
Emmanuel Gyang, a friend of the deceased who witnessed the incident, noted that while the ruling delivered justice, it reopened painful memories of the day Bala was killed, underscoring the enduring trauma caused by the unlawful act.
Recall that Bala was shot dead by the trigger-happy police officer attached to the Special Task Force (STF) on peace-keeping in Plateau State on May 13, 2020.
