…with claim of N2.3bn ‘damages.’
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Nine Southern Kaduna natives of Adara Elders, who were incarcerated, arbitrarily imprisoned and later released in 2019 under the immediate past administration, have dragged the former Kaduna State Governor, Mal Nasir el-Rufai, to court on charges of Fundamental Human Rights violation.
The claimants, led by former Chairman of the Adara Development Association, Mr. Dio Maisamari, who was in court, are demanding N2.3 billion damages for arbitrary arrest and general exemplary damages as well as special damages given the quantum of rights that were violated.
The case, which came up at the Federal High Court Kaduna on Tuesday, for mentioning was, however, adjourned by Justice Hauwa’u of the Federal High Court to give room for proper service to the respondents, in line with Order 5 Rule 7 of the Fundamental Human Rights Acts.
Speaking to newsmen after the adjournment, counsel to the Plaintiff, Barrister Gloria Ballason, explained that her clients were unjustly imprisoned by the immediate past administration of the state for more than 3 months, in 2019, and later released because nothing was found against them.
“We are here for a case of unjust imprisonment of the Adara Elders, who were imprisoned in 201,9, and they came to court to seek the enforcement of their fundamental rights.
“Their Chief, Rafael Maiwada Galadima, was killed in very questionable and curious circumstances about the same time this arrest occurred under the administration of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
“It so happened that my client standing here with me – Mr. Aweni Dio Maisamari, had shown up at a meeting and wanted to inquire 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.”
According to Barrister Gloria Ballason, it was Mallam Nasir who specifically directed that the President of the Adara Development Association, Mr. Dio Maisamar, should be picked without investigation and reasonable suspicion of a crime.
“The Nasir El-Rufai administration was well known to be that of a cocktail of rights violations, including killings, wrongful imprisonments to attacks.
“The claimants in the case are claiming damages, which include: restraining the respondent from illegal Orders, and that’s including the State and perpetual injunction in the sum for 900 million naira for arbitrary arrest, compensation of 100 million naira for general and exemplary damages, 500 million naira for other damages that were in court, and special damages in the sum of 800 million naira given the quantum of rights that were violated,” Ballason stated.