Court Fines El-Rufai N900 million Over Human Rights Violations While In Office As Kaduna Governor
The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has found the immediate past governor of the state, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai guilty of human rights abuses while in office and asked him to pay N900 million in damages to the victims.
The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has found the immediate past governor of the state, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai guilty of human rights abuses while in office and asked him to pay N900 million in damages to the victims.
El- Rufai and five others were sued over multiple violations of fundamental human rights and arbitrary imprisonment of Adara elders of Southern Kaduna during his tenure as governor for two terms of four-years each from 2015-2023.
The plaintiffs/ applicants included Mr. Awemi Dio Maisamari and eight other Southern Kaduna elders, who were victims of the illegal detention in 2019 during the the former governor's administration.
The landmark judgment was delivered on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, by Justice Hauwa’u Buhari.
Lead Counsel to the plaintiffs/ applicants what jubilated over the verdict, Gloria Mabeiam Ballason, noted that the victory
Lead Counsel to the plaintiffs/ applicants what jubilated over the verdict, Gloria Mabeiam Ballason, noted that the victory
would have wider implications.
Ballason led other lawyers including S.A. Alkali Esq. and J.N. Buzun Esq during the proceedings.
According to her, the judgment is a landmark achievement against abuse of fundamental human rights and abuse of power by former Governor El-Rufai.
She also, hailed the judgment as a watershed against abuse of power and accountability for abuse, whether the occupants of the office are temporarily shielded by immunity or not.
While El-Rufai, the first respondent, was sued in his personal capacity, the 2nd respondent was the Governor of Kaduna State.
The 3rd-5th respondents in the matter were the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and the Commissioner of Police, CP, of Kaduna State, respectively.
Justice Buhari had earlier in the proceedings ruled against the preliminary objections filed by the respondents challenging the jurisdiction of the court with the claim that the Federal High Court was not the right court to hear the matter.
The respondents further argued that the time of setting down the case for hearing exceeded seven days and that the wrongful imprisonment was in tort and not under fundamental human rights.
However, dismissing these arguments, the court held that there are no merits in the preliminary objection and proceeded to deliver its judgment.
Delivering judgment, Justice Buhari granted an order of compensation in the sum of N900 million against El-Rufai for arbitrary arrest which it said the former governor personally orchestrated.
The sum of N10 million was awarded in general damages and another sum of N10 million in special damages against the 3rd-5th respondents.
Speaking in an interview with reporters, Ballason noted that the case was filed after El-Rufai had left office, saying this explains why he was sued in his personal capacity as the first respondent, pointing out that,
when people in authority enjoy immunity, it does not mean or warrant executive lawlessness.
The 2nd and 6th respondents were represented by J.A. Danazumi Esq., State Solicitor General, and Koni Tauna Esq., while Sirajo Mohammed Esq. represented the 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents.
The applicant/plaintiff, Mr Maisamari, who was at the time of his arrest the national president of Adara Development Association, was arbitrarily arrested during a town hall meeting following the questionable and curious circumstances of the murder of the paramount ruler of Adara kingdom, Dr. Raphael Maiwada Galadima, who was kidnapped and murdered while returning home from Kaduna after a meeting with then-Governor El-Rufai.
El-Rufai, who was Governor of Kaduna State at the time, had convened the town hall meeting and personally ordered the police to arrest Maisamari after labelling him as “part of the security problem” in Kajuruland of the state.
Maisamari who was arrested and detained along with eight other Adara elders including a former Commissioner, Engr. Bawa Magaji, and a former Commissioner of Police, were later released after several months, on the advice of the Attorney General who found nothing incriminating against them.
The defendants' Counsel and state Solicitor General, Barrister Danazumi, declined comments when approached for comments on the judgment.
While El-Rufai, the first respondent, was sued in his personal capacity, the 2nd respondent was the Governor of Kaduna State.
The 3rd-5th respondents in the matter were the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and the Commissioner of Police, CP, of Kaduna State, respectively.
Justice Buhari had earlier in the proceedings ruled against the preliminary objections filed by the respondents challenging the jurisdiction of the court with the claim that the Federal High Court was not the right court to hear the matter.
The respondents further argued that the time of setting down the case for hearing exceeded seven days and that the wrongful imprisonment was in tort and not under fundamental human rights.
However, dismissing these arguments, the court held that there are no merits in the preliminary objection and proceeded to deliver its judgment.
Delivering judgment, Justice Buhari granted an order of compensation in the sum of N900 million against El-Rufai for arbitrary arrest which it said the former governor personally orchestrated.
The sum of N10 million was awarded in general damages and another sum of N10 million in special damages against the 3rd-5th respondents.
Speaking in an interview with reporters, Ballason noted that the case was filed after El-Rufai had left office, saying this explains why he was sued in his personal capacity as the first respondent, pointing out that,
when people in authority enjoy immunity, it does not mean or warrant executive lawlessness.
The 2nd and 6th respondents were represented by J.A. Danazumi Esq., State Solicitor General, and Koni Tauna Esq., while Sirajo Mohammed Esq. represented the 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents.
The applicant/plaintiff, Mr Maisamari, who was at the time of his arrest the national president of Adara Development Association, was arbitrarily arrested during a town hall meeting following the questionable and curious circumstances of the murder of the paramount ruler of Adara kingdom, Dr. Raphael Maiwada Galadima, who was kidnapped and murdered while returning home from Kaduna after a meeting with then-Governor El-Rufai.
El-Rufai, who was Governor of Kaduna State at the time, had convened the town hall meeting and personally ordered the police to arrest Maisamari after labelling him as “part of the security problem” in Kajuruland of the state.
Maisamari who was arrested and detained along with eight other Adara elders including a former Commissioner, Engr. Bawa Magaji, and a former Commissioner of Police, were later released after several months, on the advice of the Attorney General who found nothing incriminating against them.
The defendants' Counsel and state Solicitor General, Barrister Danazumi, declined comments when approached for comments on the judgment.
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