A Federal High Court in Kaduna has awarded ₦900 million in damages against the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, and five others for the unlawful detention of Adara community elders in 2019.
Justice Hauwa’u Buhari, who delivered the judgment, ruled in favour of Awemi Dio Maisamari and eight other elders from the Adara community in Kajuru Local Government Area. The plaintiffs were detained following the murder of their traditional ruler, Raphael Maiwada Galadima.
El-Rufai, who was sued in his personal capacity, was found liable for ordering the arrest and detention of the elders.
The court dismissed preliminary objections raised by the respondents, who had argued that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction and that the matter was a tort case rather than one involving fundamental human rights.
Reacting to the judgment, lead counsel for the plaintiffs, Gloria Ballason, hailed the ruling as a significant stand against abuse of executive power.
“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,” she said.