A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has ordered former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and several of his former aides to jointly pay a staggering ₦900 million as compensation for the unlawful detention of Adara community elders for several months without trial.
The landmark judgment, delivered on Monday, declared the prolonged incarceration of the elders as a gross violation of their fundamental human rights. The elders, including prominent traditional leaders, were held during El-Rufai’s administration following communal unrest in the region.
Justice H. M. Shuaibu ruled that the detention was politically motivated and lacked any legal justification, stating that “no authority is above the law, not even a sitting or former governor.”
Human rights activists have hailed the ruling as a rare victory for justice and accountability in Nigeria’s turbulent political landscape. The Adara Development Association described the judgment as “long overdue,” vowing to pursue full enforcement.
This development could spark fresh scrutiny into other controversial decisions taken during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor, particularly on security and community relations.
More reactions are expected from legal, political, and civil society quarters as the ripple effects of the judgment unfold across Kaduna State.
Sahara Reporters
About The Author
