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A Kaduna State High Court has ordered the state police command to pay ₦15 million in damages to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and other members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) for unlawfully disrupting their political meetings.
The judgement, delivered on Wednesday by Justice Murtala J. Zubairu, came after the court found that the police acted outside their powers by halting the political gatherings held on August 30 and September 4, 2025.
The meetings, which involved El-Rufai and several opposition figures, were reportedly interrupted first by thugs in the presence of security operatives and later by the police themselves. The police had claimed their action was backed by an ex parte order obtained from the court.
However, Justice Zubairu dismissed the suit filed by the Commissioner of Police, describing it as “incompetent” and “an abuse of court process.” He ruled that the actions of the police violated the constitutional rights of the defendants to freedom of assembly and association.
The court further issued a perpetual injunction restraining the police and their agents from interfering with any lawful political activities in the state without due process.
Justice Zubairu also directed the police to investigate the violent attacks during the August 30 meeting and submit a report to the Kaduna State Attorney-General within 60 days.
He criticised the police for neglecting their duty to protect citizens, noting that instead of safeguarding the victims, they sought legal cover to suppress their rights.
“The ex parte order obtained by the police was irregular, oppressive, and contrary to the law. The resulting injury to the respondents must be compensated,” the judge ruled.
