A Federal High Court in Kano has mandated the Kano State Government to compensate Aminu Bayero, the 15th Emir of Kano, with N10 million for violating his fundamental human rights.
Justice Simon Amobeda delivered the judgment in response to Bayero’s lawsuit seeking enforcement of his rights. The court ruled that Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf’s directive to arrest Bayero was unlawful and effectively placed him under house arrest out of fear of detention.
The suit listed the Attorney General of the Federation, the Attorney General of Kano State, the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police in Kano, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Airforce, and the Nigerian Navy as respondents.
Justice Amobeda restrained the relevant authorities from arresting, detaining, or harassing Bayero and determined that the governor’s actions violated Sections 35(1) and 41(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantee personal liberty and freedom of movement.
While the court denied the request for the cost of filing and prosecuting the suit, it underscored the necessity to compensate Bayero for the breaches of his fundamental rights.
