A Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered ex-Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and five others to pay N900 million in damages, for violating the fundamental human rights of Adara elders illegally detained in 2019.
Justice Hauwa’u Buhari delivered the ruling on Tuesday.
The suit was filed by Awemi Dio Maisamari and eight other Southern Kaduna Adara elders.
The court ruled that El-Rufai personally orchestrated their arbitrary arrest, and is therefore liable for the N900 million compensation.
The court also awarded 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.
Reacting to the ruling, counsel to the applicants, Gloria Mabeiam Ballason, hailed the verdict as a milestone in the fight against abuse of power.
“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.
“Even when people in authority enjoy immunity, it does not warrant executive lawlessness,” Ballason said.
