Court Reverses Ban On Political Gatherings In Kaduna, Awards ₦15m Damages To ADC, SDP
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that a Kaduna State High Court has dismissed a suit filed by the State Commissioner of Police against the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), describing the case as an “abuse of court process.”
Justice Murtala Zubairu, who presided over the case, also declared the blanket ban on political gatherings imposed by the Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, as unconstitutional. The court awarded a total of ₦15 million in damages in favour of the ADC and SDP.
In his ruling, Justice Zubairu granted a perpetual injunction restraining Rabiu, his officers, agents, or any other representatives from interfering with the lawful political activities of the opposition parties including meetings, rallies, and assemblies without following due process.
The judge emphasized that the police must compensate victims whose fundamental rights were violated, describing the actions taken by the police as “oppressive and high-handed,” and deserving of exemplary damages.
The suit followed the disruption of an ADC meeting held in Kaduna on August 30, 2025, which was attended by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i and other party leaders. During the meeting, suspected political thugs reportedly invaded the venue, attacking party members and destroying property.
Justice Zubairu ruled that the police acted outside their statutory powers and violated the opposition parties’ constitutional rights to freedom of assembly and association, as guaranteed under Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution.
“The Applicant’s actions demonstrate a clear pattern of potential abuse of power, warranting perpetual restraint by the Court,” the judge said. “The unconstitutionality of the applicant’s conduct justifies the grant of the declarations sought. I, therefore, find and hold that the Applicant fundamentally breached their statutory duty and unlawfully infringed upon the counter-claimant’s fundamental rights.”
The court awarded ₦5 million each in damages for:
The arbitrary suspension of the political meeting,
The public portrayal of the opposition parties as violent,
The unlawful ex-parte injunction obtained by the police without an undertaking as to damages, and
The failure to investigate the August 30 violence.
Additionally, Justice Zubairu set aside the ex-parte order earlier granted on September 4, declaring it “without merit and in breach of procedure.”
He also ruled that the police’s blanket ban on political assemblies amounted to “selective enforcement and abuse of process.”
The court directed the police to immediately investigate the complaints related to the August 30 incident (as documented in Exhibits A2 and A3), and to submit a report to the Attorney-General of Kaduna State within 60 days for appropriate action.
