After spending 143 days in detention, human rights activist and journalist, Steven Kefas, has filed an N500 million suit against Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu and four others over alleged infringement on his fundamental rights.
Kefas, who had spent 143 days in the Kaduna Prison over alleged inciting comments against el-Rufai and Chairman of Kajuru Council Area, Cafra Caino, approached the Federal High Court Kaduna, through his Counsel, Gloria Mabeaim Ballason.
He is insisting that Caino, Special Adviser on Legal Affairs to Kaduna State Governor, Aisha Dikko, El-Rufai, Attorney General of Kaduna State, Commissioner of Police (CP) and IGP Adamu, has breached his rights.
He is specifically asking the defendants to pay him N500m for unlawful detention without bail and violation of his rights.
Ballason urged the court to grant an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the respondents by any executive powers, advice and (or) any directive in any manner whatsoever and howsoever from violating the rights to Liberty and movement of the applicant who is ready to stand trial and present his defence.
He is seeking an order for compensation of N50m against the first respondent, N150m against the second respondent, N200m against the third respondent and N100m against the fifth and sixth respondents for arbitrary imprisonment, violation of dignity and freedom of movement of the applicant,” among others.
The case was, however, adjourned to October 25, 2019 to allow lead counsel to the respondents, Elijah Bakam of the Kaduna State Ministry of Justice to prepare his defence.