Court Fines Police N100m for Killing ‘Free Zakzaky’ Protester in Abuja

The unlawful detention and subsequent execution of Ja’afar Muhammad by the Nigerian Police in 2019 has been deemed by the Federal High Court of Nigeria to be a flagrant breach of Ja’afar Muhammad’s fundamental rights, and the court has made this determination.

It was reported that the ruling, which was delivered by Justice Z. B. Abubakar of the Abuja Division, highlights the clear infringement of Muhammad’s rights as guaranteed by Section 33 (1) 35 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Muhammad’s rights are guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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The court case that was brought forward by Naziru Isah Abdullahi and assigned the suit number FHC/ABJ/CD/409/2020 shed light on the terrifying events that took place around the time of Muhammad’s arrest and his untimely death.

Justice Abubakar affirmed that the evidence presented by Naziru Isah provided compelling proof that Ja’afar Muhammad was shot and injured while participating peacefully in a protest for ‘Free Zakzaky’ on July 22, 2019, at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja. The protest was calling for Zakzaky to be released from prison.

According to the article that was published in this newspaper, shortly after the shooting, Ja’afar was taken to the Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital for medical treatment. The shocking event occurred when the police removed him from the hospital against his will and transported him to the SARS Cell located in the Abattoir in Garki, Abuja.

According to reports, Ja’afar Muhammad was not given the necessary medical attention while he was in the custody of the police, which ultimately led to his untimely death on July 24, 2019.

In addition, Justice Abubakar emphasized that the evidence established beyond a reasonable doubt that Ja’afar Muhammad’s body was taken to the Asokoro District Hospital in Abuja after his death. This was another point that he emphasized.

As a consequence of this, the court issued an order that instructed the Inspector General of Police and the Medical Director of Asokoto District Hospital to hand over Ja’afar Muhammad’s remains to his family so that they could be buried as quickly as possible in accordance with the precepts of Islamic law.

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In addition, the court ordered that the Inspector General of Police pay the applicant, Naziru Isah, restitution in the amount of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) for the unlawful detention and killing of Ja’afar Muhammad.