A Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to pay N900 million in damages for the violation of the fundamental human rights of Adara elders unlawfully detained in 2019.
Justice Hauwa’u Buhari delivered the ruling on Tuesday in a case brought by Awemi Dio Maisamari and eight other elders from the Southern Kaduna Adara community. The court found that El-Rufai had personally orchestrated their arbitrary arrests, making him liable for the substantial compensation awarded.
Additionally, the court imposed 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.
In response to the ruling, counsel for the plaintiffs, Gloria Mabeiam Ballason, hailed the verdict as a significant milestone in the fight against the abuse of power. “This judgement marks a watershed in holding individuals accountable for misconduct, regardless of whether those in office are temporarily shielded by immunity,” Ballason stated. “Even when individuals in authority enjoy immunity, it does not justify executive lawlessness.”
The case, filed after El-Rufai left office, named him as the first respondent in his personal capacity. The applicants were arrested following the murder of Dr. Raphael Maiwada Galadima, the paramount ruler of the Adara people. At the time, El-Rufai reportedly ordered the arrests, labelling Maisamari and others as security threats in Kajuru.
Among those detained were a former commissioner, Bawa Magaji, and a former police commissioner, both of whom were later released after the Attorney General found no evidence against them. Counsel for the respondents, J.A. Danazumi, who also serves as Solicitor General, declined to provide a comment when approached.
