Adara Elders from Southern Kaduna have taken former Governor Nasiru El-Rufa’i to court over alleged human rights abuses, including unlawful imprisonment and harassment.
The elders claim they were detained and imprisoned by El-Rufa’i’s administration in 2019 without justification and later released.
Led by Aweni Dio Maisamari, former Chairman of the Adara Development Association, they are seeking 2.3 billion naira in damages for arbitrary arrest, general exemplary damages, and special damages.
According to Gloria Ballason, counsel to the plaintiffs, “My client was unjustly imprisoned for over three months in 2019 and later released because nothing was found against them.”
Ballason also highlighted the suspicious circumstances surrounding the killing of Chief Rafael Maiwada Galadima during the same period.
The case was adjourned by Justice Hauwa’u Buhari to allow proper service to the respondents, as mandated by the Fundamental Human Rights Acts.
The plaintiffs are demanding damages, including:
– Arbitrary Arrest: 900 million naira
– General and Exemplary Damages: 100 million naira
– Other Damages: 500 million naira
– Special Damages: 800 million naira
Ballason accused El-Rufa’i of directing the arrest without investigation or reasonable suspicion of crime, labeling his administration as notorious for rights violations.
