Kaduna Court Orders El-Rufai to Pay ₦900 Million for Unlawful Detention of Adara Elders

A Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and five others to pay ₦900 million in damages over the unlawful arrest and detention of nine elders from the Adara community in 2019.

Justice Hauwa’u Evelyn Buhari ruled that the arrest was a violation of the elders’ fundamental rights, stating that El-Rufai personally authorized their detention following the killing of the Adara traditional ruler, Dr. Raphael Maiwada Galadima.

The court dismissed objections raised by the defendants, including challenges to the court’s jurisdiction and claims that the suit was a tort case rather than a human rights matter.

The Nigerian Police Force, along with the Inspector-General of Police and the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, were also ordered to pay ₦10 million each in damages.

The detained elders, which included former commissioners, a retired police officer, and other community leaders, were held without charge for over 30 days before being released.

Lead counsel for the elders, Gloria Mabeiam Ballason, hailed the judgment as a landmark victory, emphasizing that it sends a strong message against abuse of power and unlawful detentions.