The Plateau State Chief Justice, David Mann, has delivered judgement in the case involving the killing of University of Jos student, Rinji Bala, ending a four-year legal battle. The Plateau High Court, Jos, on Tuesday sentenced Sgt. Ruya Auta to death by hanging or lethal injection after finding him guilty of culpable homicide. According to the court, the ruling was necessary to uphold the rule of law, ensure accountability and discourage unlawful use of firearms by security personnel.
The incident occurred on May 12, 2020, when Bala, a 300-level student, was arrested with friends during the COVID-19 lockdown, beaten and later shot after being told to run. Prosecuting counsel Garba Pwul (SAN) said, “The judgement was actually expected, as the convict didn’t deny the offence… The prosecution was actually able to show that the convict had the intent of shooting the victim.” Bala’s father, Peter Bala, said he was not celebrating the death sentence but noted, “The truth is the law is the law.”