Federal High Court Awards N900 Million Against Ex-Kaduna Governor El-Rufai Over Illegal Detention of Adara Elders
A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has awarded a total of N900 million in damages against former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and five other respondents for violating the fundamental human rights of Adara elders who were illegally detained in 2019. The judgment was delivered on Tuesday by Justice Hauwa’u Buhari.
The suit was filed by Awemi Dio Maisamari and eight other prominent Southern Kaduna Adara elders. The court found that El-Rufai personally orchestrated their arbitrary arrest, holding him liable for the substantial compensation. Specifically, El-Rufai was ordered to pay N900 million in damages.
In addition to the award against El-Rufai, the court also imposed damages of N10 million each in general and special damages against the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, and the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police for their roles in the unlawful detention.
The case arose from the events following the murder of Dr. Raphael Maiwada Galadima, the paramount ruler of the Adara people. In 2019, the applicants were arrested and detained under orders from El-Rufai, who accused them of being threats to security in Kajuru Local Government Area. Among those detained were notable figures, including a former commissioner, Bawa Magaji, and a former police commissioner.
Despite the arrests, the detained elders were later released after the Attorney General’s investigation found no evidence to justify their detention, highlighting the arbitrary nature of their arrest.
The suit was filed after El-Rufai had left office, naming him as the first respondent in his personal capacity. This legal move underscored the court’s willingness to hold former public officials personally accountable for human rights violations committed during their tenure.
Reacting to the ruling, Gloria Mabeiam Ballason, counsel to the applicants, described the judgment as a landmark victory in the fight against abuse of power.
She stated, “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.”
When contacted for comment, counsel to the respondents, J.A. Danazumi, who also serves as the Solicitor General, declined to make any statement.
This ruling reinforces the principle that fundamental human rights must be protected and that unlawful detention and abuse of power by public officials will be met with judicial consequences, regardless of their position or immunity status.