President of the Chocolate City Group, Audu Maikori, has reportedly been awarded N40 million as damages for his unlawful arrest and detention by the police in Kaduna State.

Maikori was arrested by the police in February on allegations of inciting tweets alleging the killing of some southern Kaduna students by Fulani herdsmen.

The Chocolate City boss had filed a fundamental human rights enforcement suit on the 5th of May 2017.

The high court judge presiding over the case, Justice John Tsoho, ruled today that the four respondents (Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, Kaduna State Police commissioner, Inspector General of Police and the state’s attorney general) to pay damages to the applicant.

Justice Tsoho also ordered the respondents to pay Maikori the sum of N1,430 as the cost of instituting the suit.

“The arrest was improper, irregular and wrongful. By necessary implication, the arrest was unlawful despite being released after 24 hours.” The judge ruled. 

Audu had taken to Twitter to celebrate his victory and thank his lawyer.