Court awards ₦900m damages against El-Rufai for unlawful detention of elders
A Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered the immediate past Governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai, along with five others, to pay ₦900 million in damages for the unlawful detention of Adara community elders in 2019.
Justice Hauwa’u Buhari delivered the judgment in favor of Awemi Dio Maisamari and eight other Adara elders, who were wrongfully detained following the murder of their traditional ruler, Raphael Maiwada Galadima.
El-Rufai, who was sued in his personal capacity, was found guilty of ordering the arrests. The judge dismissed objections from the respondents, who claimed the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction and argued that the case involved tort rather than violations of fundamental human rights.
Lead counsel for the plaintiffs, Gloria Ballason, hailed the ruling as “a landmark victory against abuse of executive power.” She added, “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 elders were detained for several months after their arrest during a town hall meeting convened by El-Rufai, triggered by the abduction and killing of their traditional ruler. They were released only after the attorney general of Kaduna State found no legal grounds for their prolonged detention.
Source: Channels TV
