A Kaduna High Court has declared as unconstitutional the actions of the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police who sought to stop political gatherings organized by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), awarding a total of ₦15 million in damages against the Police.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, Honourable Justice Murtala J. Zubairu held that the Police acted in breach of statutory duty and violated the fundamental rights of the political parties and their members to freedom of Assembly and association as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The suit was filed by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police against the ADC and SDP after an ADC event attended by former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and other party leaders was violently disrupted by suspected thugs.
The Police sought an order banning further political gatherings in the State, claiming they threatened public peace.
But, Justice Zubairu faulted the Police’s actions, describing them as “a clear pattern of potential abuse of power” and an infringement on citizens’ constitutional rights.
The court struck out the Police’s originating summons for being “incompetent and an abuse of court process.”
The judge further ruled that the Police failed to investigate complaints of violence allegedly orchestrated by political thugs during the ADC meeting but instead turned against the victims by seeking a blanket ban on political activities in the state.
“The Applicant’s actions demonstrate a clear pattern of potential abuse of power, warranting perpetual restraint by the Court. The unconstitutionality of the Applicant’s conduct justifies the grant of the declarations sought”, he said.
Justice Zubairu consequently awarded ₦15 million in total damages in favour of the defendants, comprising ₦5 million each as compensation for wrongful suspension of their meeting, unlawful injunction, and failure of the Police to investigate the reported attacks.
The court also granted a perpetual injunction restraining the Commissioner of Police, his officers, agents, or privies from further interference with the lawful political activities of the ADC and SDP in Kaduna State without due process of law.
Also, the Police were directed to investigate the violent attack that occurred on August 30, 2025, at the ADC’s event, and to submit a report to the State Attorney-General within 60 days.
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