Federal High Court in Kaduna has ruled that former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and five others violated the fundamental human rights of Adara elders, awarding N900 million in damages.
Gatekeepers News reports that the court held El-Rufai personally responsible for orchestrating the arbitrary arrest of the elders in 2019.
Justice Hauwa’u Buhari delivered the judgment, stating that El-Rufai’s actions were unlawful. The court also awarded N10 million in general damages and N10 million in special damages against the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, and the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police.
The applicants, led by Awemi Dio Maisamari, were among nine Adara elders arrested and detained following the murder of their paramount ruler, Dr. Raphael Maiwada Galadima. El-Rufai had reportedly labeled them security threats.
Reacting to the verdict, the applicants’ counsel, Gloria Mabeiam Ballason, said, “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.”
