The Kaduna State Ministry of Justice has countered claims of human right abuses made by some members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) against Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The governor could not partake in the association’s annual conference which held virtually from August 24 to August 26.
His invitation to speak at the conference was withdrawn following outcry by some lawyers who said the governor stands against what the profession represents.
However, in a lengthy statement on Monday, the ministry of justice said the petition was baseless, adding that El-Rufai takes his grievances to court as is expected of him.
It also denied the reported abduction of Abubakar Usman also known as Dadiyata.
On its case against former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Prof Chidi Odinkalu, the ministry said: “Odinkalu has cases pending before the Chief Magistrate Court, High Court and Federal High Court, Kaduna. The facts are that on the 16th February 2019 while on Channels TV, he made serious allegations against the Governor of Kaduna State which were capable of inciting disturbance and the breakdown of law and order in the State.”
“The case pending before the Federal High Court, Kaduna, has been adjourned to 22nd October 2020 for Judgment. Meanwhile, the cases pending before the High Court No.12 and the Federal High Court, Kaduna have stalled the investigation by the police,” it added.
On its case against lawyer Audu Maikori and Luka Binniyat, it said: “Both cases are before the Kaduna State High Court 2 with Charges Nos. KDH/KAD/41C/2017 and No. KDH/KAD/38C/2017 respectively. Early in 2017, Audu Maikori claimed in a tweet that five students of the College of Education, Gidan-Waya, had been ambushed and killed by Fulani herdsmen. Based on Maikori’s false tweet, Luka Binniyat fabricated a news story in Vanguard newspaper, assigning names, place of origin and course of study to the alleged victims, including the claim that one of them was studying Mass Communication.
“Mr. Maikori has failed to appear in court for arraignment in his case and the court has issued bench warrant against him.
“Much has been made of the damages Audu Maikori was awarded by a Federal High Court over the circumstances of his arrest in Lagos by the police who were executing the warrant of arrest. The Kaduna State Government complied with the law in obtaining the necessary warrant of arrest, but it must rely on the police to execute it properly. The state government has appealed the award of damages.”
