The Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to pay N900 million in damages for the unlawful arrest and detention of nine elders from the Adara community in 2019.
Justice Hauwau Buhari delivered the ruling on Tuesday in a suit filed by Awemi Dio Maisamari and eight other elders from Southern Kaduna. The court found that El-Rufai violated the fundamental rights of the elders and held him liable for their illegal detention.
The court also directed the Inspector General of Police and the Nigerian Police Force to pay N10 million each for their roles in the arrest and detention.
Counsel to the Adara elders, Gloria Ballason, welcomed the judgment, calling it a significant step toward curbing abuse of power and ensuring accountability, regardless of any immunity officeholders may enjoy.
“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,” Ms Ballason stated. “Even when people in authority enjoy immunity, it does not warrant executive lawlessness.”
This ruling echoes a similar 2017 judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which awarded N40 million in damages to Chocolate City Group President, Audu Maikori, over his unlawful arrest by El-Rufai’s administration.
