The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ordered Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai and three others to pay N40 million as damages to the President of Chocolate City Group, Audu Maikori.

Justice John Tsoho awarded the costs as compensation for what he ruled as Maikori’s unlawful arrest and detention between February 17 and 18, and between March 10 and 13, 2017.

Maikori had filed afundamental human rights enforcement suitlast May 5.

Other respondents in the action are the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, and the state’s Attorney-General.

Justice Tsoho also directed the respondents to pay N1,430to the applicant as the cost of instituting the suit.

He, however, noted that his verdict did not preclude the ongoing trial of Maikori in Kaduna, adding that the Police could justifiably arrest suspects for allegedly breaking the law in the cyberspace

Maikori was arrested on allegations of posting “inciting” tweets alleging the killing of some southern Kaduna students by Fulani herdsmen. (Channels TV)