Adara Elders in Southern Kaduna have initiated a legal battle against former Governor Nasiru El-Rufa'i, accusing him of severe human rights violations, including unlawful imprisonment and harassment.
The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, seeks damages amounting to 2.3 billion naira.
The plaintiffs, led by Aweni Dio Maisamari, former Chairman of the Adara Development Association (ADA), allege that they were wrongfully detained for over three months in 2019 under El-Rufa'i's administration.
According to their counsel, Gloria Ballason, "We are here for a case of unjust imprisonment of the Adara Elders; they were imprisoned in 2019 and they came to court to seek the enforcement of their fundamental rights."
The elders claim that their detention was arbitrary and without any substantial evidence, leading to their eventual release.
They are demanding compensation for various damages, including 900 million naira for arbitrary arrest, 100 million naira for general and exemplary damages, 500 million naira for other damages, and special damages amounting to 800 million naira.
The case has been adjourned by Justice Hauwa’u Buhari to ensure proper service to the respondents, in line with order 5 rule 7 of the Fundamental Human Rights Acts.
This lawsuit shows the ongoing tensions and accusations of misconduct during El-Rufa'i's tenure as governor, a period marked by numerous allegations of human rights abuses, including wrongful imprisonments, killings, and attacks.
Ballason further highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting that the Adara Chief, Rafael Maiwada Galadima, was killed under suspicious circumstances around the same time as the arrests. She stated, "It so happened that my client standing here with me - Mr. Aweni Dio Maisamari had shown up at a meeting and wanted to enquire but was bundled up and taken to prison including 8 others. After more than 3 months, the court found nothing against them and the case was dismissed."
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