Justice David Mann of the Plateau State High Court 1 in Jos on Tuesday sentenced Sgt. Ruya Auta to death by hanging or lethal injection for the culpable homicide of Rinji Bala, a 300-level student at the University of Jos.
Bala was shot on May 12, 2020, after being detained along with two friends during the COVID-19 lockdown, despite no incriminating evidence against them. After being released and ordered to run, Bala was shot in the back, leading to his immediate death.
The prosecution, led by Dr. Garba Pwul (SAN), proved that the shooting was intentional, rejecting Auta’s claim of accidental discharge. The court emphasized that the ruling upholds the rule of law and reinforces accountability for unlawful actions by security personnel.
Bala’s father, Peter Bala, said while no one celebrates another’s death, he hopes the judgment serves as a deterrent against negligence by security forces.
The verdict has been hailed by stakeholders as a key step toward restoring public confidence in the justice system.
