Borno State Government Pays N100m Compensation To The Family Of Late Boko Haram Leader

So crime now pays? 
Borno State Government yesterday paid N100m compensation to the family of late Baa Fugu Mohammed, father in-law to  the late Boko Haram sect leader, Malam Mohammed Yusuf, who was allegedly killed while in detention at the State Police Command headquarters in Maiduguri during the July 2009 Boko Haram mayhem. 

The late Fugu’s family had in 2009 approached a  Maiduguri High Court and filed a suit against Borno State,  the Federal Government, the Inspector -General of Police, Attorney- General of the Federation and  Borno State Attorney –General as co-respondents.
The plaintiffs had claimed that the respondents were responsible for the alleged murder of their father, while in detention at the state police command on July 31, 2009 for merely being an in-law to the leader of the Boko Haram sect.

After almost a year of legal battle, Justice Mohammed Mustapha had on April 13, 2010 delivered a judgment and  ruled in favour of the plaintiffs.

Justice Mustapha had further held that the respondents were jointly liable and ordered them to pay N100m compensation to the plaintiffs for the unlawful murder of their father.
Dissatisfied with the verdict, Borno State government later filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Jos, challenging the verdict.

But Governor Kashim Shettima had said that his government resolved to settle the matter out of court by withdrawing its appeal over the case and abide by the verdict of the lower court

Shettima, who presented the N100m cheque to the lawyer to  the plaintiffs, Mr.  Anayo Adibe, reiterated his call on the Boko Haram members to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue so that lasting peace could be restored in the state.

The compensation according to him, was sequel to the court verdict which earlier ordered Borno State Government to pay N40 million, while Federal Government would pay N60m on behalf of the IG who were all joined in the suit as defendants.