“The Judgment Will Not Stop This Criminal Trial” – Governor El-Rufai Reacts To Court Mandating N40M Payment To Audu Maikori

Saturday, October 28, 2017
The governor of Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai, has reacted to Friday’s Federal High Court ruling which awarded up to N40 million in damages to Audu Maikori in a fundamental rights suit and has vowed to challenge the ruling…
El-Rufai said the matter may get to the Supreme Court, but won’t truncate an ongoing criminal proceeding he earlier caused the police to file against Maikori.
Recall, the CEO of Chocolate City Entertainment, Audu Maikori filed a fundamental human rights enforcement suit on May 5, after he was arrested for allegedly inciting the public in Kaduna.
The court subsequently awarded N40 million cost against the El Rufai and, the Nigerian Police Force for ‘illegally detaining’ Audu Maikori.
Now, in a statement to PREMIUM TIMES Friday evening, Mr. El-Rufai said the matter may drag to the Supreme Court, but won’t truncate an ongoing criminal proceeding he earlier caused the police to file against Mr. Maikori.
“The judgment will not stop this criminal trial. There is no malicious prosecution going on,” the governor said, adding that “the government can file complaints, but it is the business of the police to make arrests following the normal procedures.”