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The Digest:

Kaduna State High Court has awarded N15 million in damages against the state's Police Command for unlawfully disrupting political meetings involving former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and chieftains of the African Democratic Congress and Social Democratic Party. The court issued a perpetual injunction to restrain the police from further interfering with lawful political gatherings, declaring their actions a breach of fundamental rights and an "abdication of duty."

Key Points:
  • The Kaduna State High Court awarded N15 million against the state Police Command.
  • The ruling compensates for the disruption of ADC and SDP meetings in August and September 2025.
  • A perpetual injunction was granted to stop police from interfering with lawful political gatherings.
  • The court declared the police action a breach of the constitutional right to freedom of assembly.
  • It described the police's use of an ex parte order as an "abuse of process."
  • The police were ordered to investigate the initial violence and report within 60 days.
  • The judge stated the police sought "judicial cover to curtail rights," which is "unacceptable."
This judgment serves as a robust defense of democratic space, challenging the use of state power to stifle opposition and affirming that the right to assemble must weather any storm of political intimidation.

Sources: Leadership Newspaper