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

In a landmark ruling, the Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and five others to pay ₦900 million in damages for the unlawful arrest and detention of nine Adara community elders in 2019. Justice Hauwa’u Buhari delivered the judgment on Tuesday, affirming that the detentions violated the elders' fundamental human rights.

Background of the Case

The plaintiffs, led by Aweni Dio Maisamari, former Chairman of the Adara Development Association (ADA), were arrested and detained for over three months without charges during El-Rufai's administration. The detentions followed the abduction and subsequent killing of their traditional leader, Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima, under suspicious circumstances. The elders were released after the court found no evidence against them.

Court's Findings

Justice Buhari ruled that the arrests were arbitrary and lacked legal justification. The court held El-Rufai personally accountable, stating that he orchestrated the detentions without reasonable suspicion of any crime. The judgment emphasized the violation of the elders' rights to personal liberty and fair hearing as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

Breakdown of the Compensation

The ₦900 million awarded encompasses:

- ₦900 million for arbitrary arrest

- ₦100 million for general and exemplary damages

- ₦500 million for other damages

- ₦800 million for special damages

These figures reflect the severity of the rights violations experienced by the plaintiffs.

Legal Representation and Statements

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Gloria Ballason, described the detentions as a "cocktail of rights violations" characteristic of El-Rufai's administration. She highlighted that the arrests were made without investigations or reasonable suspicion, and that the elders were detained solely for seeking information about their chief's death. 

Implications of the Ruling

This judgment sets a significant precedent in Nigeria's legal landscape, reinforcing the judiciary's role in upholding human rights and holding public officials accountable for abuses of power. It also brings attention to the broader issues of governance and human rights in regions affected by communal tensions.

As of the time of this report, El-Rufai has not issued a public statement regarding the court's decision.

This ruling may prompt further scrutiny of past administrative actions and encourage victims of rights violations to seek legal redress.