The Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and five others to pay N900 million in damages for the unlawful arrest and detention of nine Southern Kaduna elders in 2019.
Justice Hauwa'u Buhari delivered the judgment on Tuesday in a fundamental human rights case filed by Awemi Dio Maisamari and eight other Adara community leaders who were detained following the killing of their traditional ruler, Dr. Raphael Maiwada Galadima.
The court found that the elders were wrongfully detained for several months without legal justification and ruled that their rights had been violated. The respondents, including the former governor, security agencies, and state officials, had challenged the court's jurisdiction, but the judge dismissed their objections, affirming that the matter fell within the scope of human rights enforcement.
El-Rufai, who was sued in his personal capacity, was held liable for ordering the arrest of the elders during a town hall meeting shortly after the murder of the traditional ruler. The court determined that the elders were labeled as threats to peace and security and were subsequently detained without formal charges.
Background of the Case
Among the detained individuals were a former commissioner, a retired police officer, and other prominent community figures. They were only released after the Kaduna State Attorney General reviewed their case and found no legal basis for their continued detention.
The arrests occurred in the aftermath of the abduction and killing of the Agom Adara, Dr. Galadima, who was kidnapped by gunmen while returning to his palace from Kasuwan Magani, a crisis-prone area. During the attack, his police orderly and three palace guards were killed. While his wife was later released, the monarch's mutilated body was discovered by the roadside days after the abduction.
The judgment represents a significant victory for the Southern Kaduna elders who have maintained their innocence throughout the ordeal and sought redress through the courts for what they described as a violation of their fundamental human rights.
