A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has ordered former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and five others to pay ₦900 million in damages for the illegal detention and violation of the fundamental human rights of Adara elders in 2019.
Justice Hauwa’u Buhari delivered the judgment on Tuesday in a suit filed by Awemi Dio Maisamari and eight other Southern Kaduna Adara elders.
The court found that El-Rufai, acting in his personal capacity, orchestrated the arbitrary arrest of the applicants and therefore bears personal responsibility for the awarded compensation.
In addition to the ₦900 million, the court also awarded ₦10 million in general damages and ₦10 million in special damages against the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, and the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police.
Reacting to the ruling, counsel to the applicants, Gloria Mabeiam Ballason, welcomed the judgment, describing it as a major step in holding authorities accountable.
“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,” Ballason stated.
She further noted, “Even when people in authority enjoy immunity, it does not warrant executive lawlessness.”
The legal action was initiated after El-Rufai left office and named him as the first respondent in his individual capacity.
The elders were arrested and detained in 2019 following the murder of Dr. Raphael Maiwada Galadima, the paramount ruler of the Adara people.
At the time, El-Rufai reportedly directed the arrest of Maisamari and others, branding them as security threats in Kajuru.
Among those detained were a former commissioner, Bawa Magaji, and a former police commissioner.
The detainees were later released after the Attorney General found no evidence to justify the charges.
When contacted, J.A. Danazumi, the Solicitor General and counsel to the respondents, declined to comment on the judgment.
