Massive Court Blow! El-Rufai, Associates to Pay ₦900M Over Shocking Rights Violation

A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has awarded ₦900 million in damages against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and five others for their roles in the unlawful detention of Adara elders in 2019.

Justice Hauwa’u Buhari delivered the ruling on Tuesday in a case brought by Awemi Dio Maisamari and eight other Adara elders from Southern Kaduna. The court found that El-Rufai was directly responsible for ordering their arbitrary arrest, making him personally liable for the hefty compensation.

In addition to the ₦900 million compensation, the court ordered the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, and the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police to jointly pay ₦10 million in general damages and ₦10 million in special damages.

Gloria Mabeiam Ballason, counsel to the applicants, hailed the ruling as a milestone in the fight against the abuse of executive power, noting that the judgment underscores accountability—even for officials shielded by constitutional immunity.

“This judgment is a watershed moment against executive impunity,” Ballason stated. “It affirms that power does not give a license for lawlessness, and those who misuse authority can still be held accountable—even after they leave office.”

The case was filed following El-Rufai’s exit from office, with the former governor named as the first respondent in a personal capacity.

The Adara elders were arrested and detained in 2019 after the killing of Dr. Raphael Maiwada Galadima, the traditional ruler of the Adara people. El-Rufai allegedly labeled Maisamari and other community leaders as security threats in Kajuru and ordered their arrest. Those detained included former commissioner Bawa Magaji and a former police commissioner.

They were later released after the Attorney General found no evidence to support the charges.