El-Rufai Pleads Not Guilty To Wiretapping Ribadu’s Phone

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a five-count amended charge bordering on alleged unlawful interception of communications and breach of national security.

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Naija News reports that the former governor, who appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

At the resumed proceedings, DSS counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), informed the court that an amended five-count charge had been filed on April 13, urging the court to substitute the earlier three-count charge.

The defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), confirmed receipt of the amended charge and did not oppose the substitution.

Following the application, the court struck out the earlier three-count charge and proceeded to read the amended counts to the defendant, who again pleaded not guilty.

One of the counts alleged that El-Rufai “intentionally and without authorization, intercepted the communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.”

Another count accused him of using technical systems that “compromised public safety, national security and instilling reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians.”

The prosecution applied for the identities of two witnesses to be concealed, requesting that their names be replaced with pseudonyms in court records over safety concerns.

However, the defence opposed the request, arguing that it infringed on the defendant’s constitutional right to know his accusers.

The defence also objected to the request for consecutive trial dates, citing concerns that El-Rufai’s access to counsel could be restricted due to his custody under the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

Counsel further informed the court of a pending bail application filed earlier, noting that a missing affidavit had since been located.

Despite the objections, the DSS indicated that it did not oppose the bail application.

The defence filed an application seeking to quash the amended charge, while the prosecution urged the court to dismiss it, describing it as lacking merit.

The defence also asked the court to compel the prosecution to disclose proof of evidence to enable proper trial preparation, an application the prosecution opposed.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case to May 18, 19, and 20 for hearing.