Adara Elders Drag Ex-Gov El-Rufai To Court Over Alleged Illegal Detention, Rights Violations In 2019, Seek N2.3b In Damages
Nine Adara Elders, who were arbitrarily imprisoned and later released in 2019, have dragged the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai, to court over alleged violations of their Fundamental Human Rights.
The claimants, led by the former Chairman of the Adara Development Association, Mr. Dio Maisamari, are demanding N2.3 billion in damages for arbitrary arrest, general and exemplary damages, and special damages due to the violation of their rights.
The case, which was heard at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, was adjourned by Justice Hauwa’u to allow for proper service to the respondents, in line with Order 5, Rule 7 of the Fundamental Human Rights Act.
Speaking to newsmen after the adjournment, counsel to the plaintiffs, Barrister Gloria Ballason, explained that her clients were unjustly imprisoned by the immediate past administration of the state for more than three months in 2019, only to be released after nothing was found against them.
“We are here on behalf of the Adara Elders, who were unjustly imprisoned in 2019. They have come to court seeking the enforcement of their fundamental rights,” she stated.
She further explained that their Chief, Raphael Maiwada Galadima, was killed under suspicious circumstances around the same time as the arrest, during the administration of Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai.
"My client, Mr. Dio Maisamari, along with eight others, was arrested when he attended a meeting to inquire about the situation. After spending over three months in detention, the court found no evidence against them, and the case was dismissed,” Barrister Ballason explained.
According to Ballason, Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai had personally directed the arrest of Mr. Maisamari, without any investigation or reasonable suspicion of a crime.
“The Nasiru el-Rufai administration was notorious for a series of rights violations, ranging from unlawful killings to wrongful imprisonments and attacks," she said.
The claimants are seeking damages, including N900 million for arbitrary arrest, N100 million for general and exemplary damages, N500 million for additional damages, and N800 million for special damages due to the extent of the rights violations,” Ballason added.
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