A court has granted N70 million to an individual whose mother was fatally struck by a stray bullet fired by the police in the year 2000.

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has ruled in favor of a N70 million compensation against the Nigerian police for the tragic death of a nursing mother due to a stray bullet, marking a significant resolution after over two decades of legal proceedings.

On Friday, Justice G. Olotu mandated the police to pay N10 million in general damages, N50 million in punitive damages, and N10 million for litigation expenses to a 24-year-old man whose mother was fatally shot in 2000 when he was just a toddler.

In that incident, Margaret Achalla was bathing her infant in the Utako area of Abuja when she was hit by a bullet discharged by a police officer. She fell to the ground and began to bleed profusely.

Rather than providing immediate medical assistance, the officers fled the scene, leaving her to succumb to her injuries.

Rights attorney and activist Abubakar Marshal from Falana and Falana Chambers took on the case in 2001, filing a lawsuit against the police for damages. The case was bolstered by substantial evidence, including the recovered bullet, photographs of the injury, an x-ray report, medical records, and hospital bills, all meticulously documented in the claim.

In light of the compelling evidence, Mr. Olotu determined that Ms. Achalla’s death was both unlawful and unconstitutional.

Consequently, he awarded a total of N70 million against the police: N10 million for general damages, N50 million for punitive damages, and N10 million for litigation costs. Furthermore, he instructed the police to pay an interest rate of five percent until the total damages are fully compensated.

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