The Chief Justice of Plateau State, Justice David Mann, has delivered judgment in the high-profile case involving the killing of University of Jos student, Rinji Bala, marking a major milestone in the pursuit of justice for the 2020 incident.
Delivering the verdict on Tuesday at Plateau State High Court 1 in Jos, Justice Mann sentenced Sgt. Ruya Auta to death by hanging or lethal injection after finding him guilty of culpable homicide. The ruling followed a thorough review of the prosecution’s arguments, witness testimonies, and the circumstances that led to the student’s death.
The court stressed that the sentence was necessary to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability, especially in cases involving the misuse of firearms by security personnel.
The killing of Bala, a 300-level student, occurred on May 12, 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown. He and two friends were stopped near the Hwolshe area of Jos, searched, and taken into custody despite no incriminating evidence found on them. Reports indicated they were beaten and later told to run, at which point Bala was shot in the back, leading to his immediate death.
The case, widely followed across the country, sparked outrage and demands for justice. Tuesday’s judgment has been welcomed by many as a vital step toward restoring public confidence in the justice system.
Dr. Garba Pwul (SAN), the prosecuting counsel who obtained a fiat from the Plateau State Attorney-General to handle the matter, said the judgment aligned with expectations.
“The convict didn’t deny the offence, though he claimed it was an accidental discharge. The prosecution proved he intended to shoot the victim, who was hit in the back,” he said.
Pwul added that while the defence has the constitutional right to appeal, he has not received information on their next steps.
Reacting to the ruling, Rinji’s father, Mr. Peter Bala, said no one should celebrate another’s death but emphasized that justice had taken its course.
“The truth is the law is the law; that is all I can say,” he stated, expressing hope that the ruling would deter erring security personnel and protect citizens’ rights.
