Policeman sentenced to death by hanging for killing UNIJOS student

Hangman’s noose

The Chief Justice of Plateau Justice David Mann has delivered judgment in the long-awaited case involving the killing of a university student, Rinji Bala, bringing a major legal chapter to a close.

Mann, in a ruling delivered at the Plateau State High Court 1 on Tuesday in Jos, pronounced a death sentence by hanging or lethal injection on the convicted Sgt. Ruya Auta found him guilty of the charge of culpable homicide.The decision followed a detailed review of the prosecution’s evidence, witnesses’ testimonies, and the court’s evaluation of the circumstances surrounding the case.

The court emphasised that the sentence was intended to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability, especially in cases involving the unlawful use of force and firearms.

Stakeholders across the state have described the verdict as a significant step towards restoring public confidence in the justice system.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that late Rinji Bala, a promising young man who was a 300 level student at the University of Jos, was shot dead on May 12, 2020, by Auta, after he was taken into custody along with two of his friends near the Hwolshe area of Jos, when they were strolling during the COVID-19 lockdown.

According to reports, Bala and his friends were apprehended, searched, and taken into custody despite no incriminating evidence being found on any of them.

After being beaten and released, they were told to run, at which point Rinji was shot, leading to his immediate death.

The case has been closely followed since the tragic incident, with many calling for accountability and justice for Bala’s family.

The court’s ruling represents a significant step toward addressing unlawful actions by security personnel and underscores the importance of upholding citizens’ fundamental rights. Vanguard