A Federal High Court in Kaduna has awarded ₦900 million in damages against the immediate past Governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai; and five others over the unlawful detention of some Adara community elders in the Kajuru Local Government Area of the state in 2019.
The presiding Judge, Justice Hauwa’u Buhari, delivered the judgment in favour of one of the plaintiffs, Awemi Dio Maisamari, and eight other Adara elders who were unlawfully detained over the murder of their traditional ruler, Raphael Maiwada Galadima.
Justice Hauwa’u Buhari delivered the judgment on Tuesday.
El-Rufai, who was sued in his personal capacity, was found guilty for ordering the arrest and detention of the elders.
The Judge also dismissed preliminary objections raised by the respondents, who argued that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to handle the case, and that the case was based on tort rather than fundamental human rights violations.
In her reaction, the lead counsel for the plaintiffs, Gloria Ballason, described the judgement as a landmark victory against abuse of executive power.
She said, “This judgment is a watershed moment in the fight against executive lawlessness and human rights violations. It reaffirms that public office holders can be held accountable even after leaving office.”
The eight elders were arrested during a town hall meeting convened by the former Governor in 2019, following the abduction and killing of the traditional ruler by his abductors.
The elders, including a former Commissioner and a retired police officer, were detained for several months before being released on the advice of the Attorney-General of Kaduna State, who found no legal justification for their continued detention.
The court found no merit in objections raised by El-Rufai and proceeded to judgement.
The court ordered N900 million in total compensation, with El-Rufai, sued in his personal capacity, found liable for personally ordering the arrests.
An additional N10 million each in general and special damages was awarded against the Nigerian Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, and the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State.
Counsel for the applicants, Gloria Mabeiam Ballason Esq., who led S.A. Alkali Esq. and J.N. Buzun Esq., hailed the verdict as a landmark judgment against abuse of power and a reminder that public officials can be held accountable even after leaving office.
“This judgement is a watershed moment in the fight against executive lawlessness and the abuse of fundamental human rights. The case was filed after El-Rufai left office, which is why he was sued in his personal capacity,” Ballason stated.
The applicants were arbitrarily arrested during a town hall meeting convened by El-Rufai in 2019 after the abduction and killing of Dr. Galadima, the Adara monarch.
At the meeting, El-Rufai reportedly directed police to arrest Maisamari, then President of the Adara Development Association, labeling him a “security threat” in Kajuru.
