A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has awarded ₦900 million in damages against former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufa’i, and five others for violating the fundamental human rights of Adara elders illegally detained in 2019.
The presiding judge, Justice Hauwa’u Buhari, delivered the ruling yesterday, in a suit filed by Awemi Dio Maisamari and eight other Southern Kaduna Adara elders.
The court ruled that el-Rufa”i personally orchestrated their arbitrary arrest, and is therefore liable for the ₦900 million compensation. The court also awarded ₦10 million in general damages, and ₦10 million in special damages against the Nigeria Police, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police.
Reacting to the ruling, counsel to the applicants, Gloria Mabeiam Ballason, hailed the verdict as a milestone in the fight against abuse of power. “This judgment marks a watershed against abuse of power and accountability for abuse, whether the occupiers of the office are temporarily shielded by immunity or not. Even when people in authority enjoy immunity, it does not warrant executive lawlessness”, he said.
The case, filed after el-Rufa’i left office, named him as the first respondent in his personal capacity.
Recall that the applicants were arrested and detained in 2019 following the murder of the paramount ruler of the Adara people, Dr. Raphael Maiwada Galadima. At the time, el-Rufa’i had reportedly ordered the arrest of Maisamari and others, labelling them as threats to security in Kajuru.
Those detained included a former commissioner, Bawa Magaji, and a former police commissioner, who were later released after the Attorney-General found no evidence against them.
Counsel to the respondents, J.A. Ɗan’azumi, who also serves as Solicitor-General, declined to comment when contacted.
