The court has reinstated Jonathan Zamuna, the monarch of Piriga Chiefdom, who was deposed by former Governor Nasir el-Rufai.
The court also awarded N10m in damages to Zamuna, recognizing the violation of his fundamental human rights
Five days after the Kaduna State Assembly probe panel indicted ex-Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai of misappropriating 423 billion Naira, the National lndustrial Court sitting in on Monday nullified his dethronement of the paramount monarch of Piriga Chiefdom, His Highness, Chief Jonathan Pharaguwa Zamuna.
Delivering his judgement which lasted for 53 minutes, Justice Bashir Attahiru Alkali, having established that the lndustrial Court has the jurisdiction to entertain the case, averred that the government of ex-Governor el-Rufai did not comply with due process in dethroning the Piriga third class monarch, therefore, declared the act as unconstitutional, illegal, unfair, null and void.
The court therefore ordered the reinstatement of Chief Zamuna back to the throne with all salaries paid and privileges accorded him restored, the court also ordered Kaduna State government to pay damages of 10 million Naira to Chief Zamuna and comply with the judgement within 30 days.
Reacting to the ruling, Henriata Yokunbo Esquire who represented the lead Counsel to the claimant, Napoleon ldenala, described fair hearing as key to justice and the rule of law.
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However, James Kanyip Esquire, who represented the lead Counsel to the Defendant and the government of Kaduna state, declined comment on the ruling.
Speaking to Invicta FM Chief Correspondent, Ango Bally, the just reinstate Piriga paramount ruler, Chief Zamuna was full of appreciation and thankfulness that justice and fairness has prevailed.
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Some members of the chiefdom who thronged the court premises for the ruling, also bared their minds on the outcome and expectation, thereafter.
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It will be recalled that Chief Zamuna was dethroned on 22nd May 2023 by the government of Nasir el-Rufai, few days to the end of his tenure, following a cummunal clash in the chiefdom which claimed two lives and houses burnt.
But Chief Zamuna approached the industrial court and asked it to set aside the dethronement for lack of fair hearing, as he was neither given a query nor invited to state his own side of story on the allegations levelled against him.
SOURCE: INVICTA FM NEWS PIRIGA
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