FROM RAHILA ABDULLAHI, KADUNA
African Democratic Party, ADC, Kaduna State chapter has lauded the judiciary for restoring hope and strengthening democracy through its judgement.
Kaduna State High Court had on Wednesday declared that the police decision to issue a ban on political activities is a breach of its statutory duty and abuse of state power, and slammed N15 million fine on the police.
The party, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Elder Patrick Ambut, said the court had done justice to the issues put up for consideration on the ban placed on political activities in the state by declaring that the power to prevent crime must be exercised reasonably and within the confines of the law.
The judgement delivered by Justice Murtala Zubairu declared that the applicant’s (the police) statutory duty under Section 83(4) of the Police Act 2020 is explicit, citing that police officers shall provide adequate security for any person or group of persons wishing to hold an assembly, procession or demonstration in any public place.
It would be recalled that the Kaduna State Police Command placed a ban on all “unauthorised political gatherings” across the state, following the violence that broke out at a meeting of opposition politicians under the aegis of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, attended by former governor of the state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
The police subsequently invited el-Rufai and six ADC members for questioning over alleged criminal conspiracy, incitement, and public disturbance.
However, in its judgement on Wednesday, the court awarded N15 million in damages to the ADC and the Social Democratic Party, SDP, describing the police’s conduct as a “gross violation” of the political parties’ rights to peaceful assembly and association
In addition, Justice Zubairu directed the police to investigate the August 30 attack and submit a detailed report to the Attorney-General of Kaduna state within 60 days.
According to the ADC chairman, the judgement is the reaffirmation of the constitutional rights of citizens and Political Parties rights of peaceful assembly and a warning against the misuse of police powers in political matters.
It also thanked the judiciary for promoting the values of democracy in the face of glaring clampdown on the opposition by the ruling APC, using the state apparatus.
He therefore called on all party supporters and members to be law abiding, as well as to be guided by the party’s principles, which promote peace, unity, progress of the country.
