By Israel Adamu, Jos
A Federal High Court sitting in Jos has ordered the Nigerian Army to pay ₦50 million in compensation to the family of the late Sadiq Adamu, a taxi driver who allegedly died from torture while in military custody in 2021.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday by Justice Sharon T. Ishaya, held the Army liable for violating the fundamental right to life of the deceased, describing the circumstances surrounding his death as unlawful and inhumane.
According to court filings, Sadiq Adamu was arrested at Farar-Gada in Jos North Local Government Area for violating a 10 p.m. curfew while returning from Mangu. He was reportedly tortured by soldiers while in their custody, which allegedly led to his death.
The family of the deceased, represented by counsel M.S. Salihu in suit No: FHC/J/CS/35/2021 Sa’adatu Sabiu & Anor v. The Nigerian Army & 2 Ors, had approached the court seeking ₦250 million in damages over what they described as the “inhumane and unlawful killing” of their breadwinner.
In its defense, the Nigerian Army denied responsibility, claiming that Sadiq sustained injuries while fleeing from a mob after allegedly attempting to rape a woman. According to their account, he crashed his vehicle and later died while in the care of his family—not in military custody.
However, Justice Ishaya faulted the Army’s handling of the matter, particularly its failure to provide medical assistance to the victim despite visible injuries. While noting that no autopsy was conducted, the court held that the proximity of Sadiq’s death to his detention pointed to injuries sustained under torture.
“The Army’s conduct violated the deceased’s constitutional right to life,” the judge ruled, adding that the military had acted beyond its lawful powers by arresting and detaining civilians—a responsibility legally designated to the police.
While the family had sought ₦250 million in damages, the court awarded ₦50 million as compensation, citing the Army’s negligence and abuse of authority.
Reacting to the judgment, the family’s counsel, M.S. Salihu, described the verdict as a “strong warning to the military” against operating outside the law and violating citizens’ rights.
The judgment comes just weeks after another Jos court ordered the Nigerian Army to pay ₦45 million in damages for the unlawful detention of a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator, Nasak Sabur, who was held for over two months without cause.
