Court Orders Nigerian Army To Pay N50 Million Compensation For Torture Death Of Late Sadiq Adamu
A Jos Division of the Federal High Court on Friday ordered the Nigerian Army to pay N50 million in compensation to the family of the late Sadiq Adamu, who died after alleged torture in military custody.
Our correspondent reports that late Sadiq was arrested in 2021, at Farar-Gada, Jos North LGA, for violating a 10pm curfew while returning from Mangu by soldiers, who reportedly tortured him to dead while in their custody.
His family, represented by their counsel, M.S. Salihu, in suit No: FHC/J/CS/35/2021, Sa’Adatu Sabiu & anor Vs The Nigeria Army (2) ors, sought justice for what they described as, “Inhumane and unlawful killing” of their breadwinner.
The Nigerian Army denied responsibility, claiming Sadiq sustained injuries while fleeing from a mob after allegedly attempting to rape a woman. They said he crashed his car and later died in his family’s care—not in army custody.
However, the court presided over by Justice Sharon T. Ishaya, faulted the Army’s handling of the case, condemning their failure to provide medical assistance to the victim despite his visible injuries. She said although no autopsy was conducted, the court held that Sadiq’s death shortly after military detention pointed to torture-related injuries.
Daily Trust reports that, while the family initially sought N250 million in damages, the court awarded N50 million, citing a violation of Sadiq’s fundamental right to life. The court also reminded the Army that arrest and prosecution fall under purview of police duties—not theirs.
Reacting to the judgement, the complainants’ lawyer, M.S. Salihu, hailed the ruling as a, “warning,” to the military against operating outside the law and violating citizens’ rights.
This verdict comes just weeks after another Jos court ordered the Army to pay N45 million for unlawfully detaining a POS operator, Nasak Sabur, for over two months without cause.
