The Kaduna State High Court has overturned the police ban on political gatherings in the state and awarded ₦15 million in damages to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for what it described as an “abuse of court process” and “violation of fundamental rights.”
Delivering judgment, Justice Murtala Zubairu declared that the blanket prohibition of political meetings by the State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, was unconstitutional, amounting to “selective enforcement and abuse of process.”
The judge also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the Commissioner, his officers, agents, and privies from interfering with the lawful political activities of the opposition parties — including meetings, rallies, and assemblies — without due process of law.
Justice Zubairu faulted the police for disrupting the ADC meeting held on August 30, 2025, which was attended by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and other party leaders. The event was reportedly attacked by suspected political thugs, leading to injuries and property damage.
He ruled that the police had acted outside their statutory powers and violated the opposition’s constitutional rights to freedom of assembly and association under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution.
“The applicant’s actions demonstrate a clear pattern of potential abuse of power, warranting perpetual restraint by the court,” Justice Zubairu said. “The unconstitutionality of the applicant’s conduct justifies the grant of the declarations sought.”
The court awarded ₦5 million each for the arbitrary suspension of the September meeting, the public mischaracterisation of the parties as violent, the unlawful ex-parte injunction obtained by the police, and the failure to investigate the August 30 violence.
Justice Zubairu also set aside the ex-parte order granted on September 4, ruling that it was issued “without merit and in breach of procedure.”
Furthermore, the court directed the police to investigate the violence that occurred during the ADC meeting and submit a report to the Kaduna State Attorney-General within 60 days for necessary action.
