Kaduna elders sue El-Rufai, seek ₦2.3bn in damages for human rights abuses

A group of Southern Kaduna elders, under the Adara Development Association (ADA), has filed a lawsuit against the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of human rights violations and seeking ₦2.3 billion in compensation.

The elders, led by former ADA Chairman Aweni Dio Maisamari, allege that they were arbitrarily arrested, unjustly imprisoned for over three months in 2019, and later released without charges during El-Rufai’s administration.

The lawsuit, presented at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, claims damages for arbitrary arrest, general exemplary damages, and special damages due to the violation of their rights. Justice Hauwa’u Buhari adjourned the case to allow for proper service to the respondents, following the guidelines of the Fundamental Human Rights Acts.

The plaintiffs’ counsel, Gloria Ballason, stated that her clients were wrongfully imprisoned without evidence, following the suspicious killing of their chief, Rafael Maiwada Galadima, during the same period.

Ballason added, “My clients were unjustly detained under the El-Rufai administration, which had a reputation for rights violations, including wrongful imprisonments and extrajudicial actions.”

The court will reconvene after the respondents have been properly notified.