The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a five-count amended charge bordering on the alleged tapping of the mobile phone of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
According to the PremiumTimes, a Nigerian online newspaper, the DSS alleged that EI-Rufai intentionally and unlawfully interfered with the communication of the NSA, which is part of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) as contained in Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order, 2024 gazetted as Statutory Instrument No. 21 of 2024, which he admitted on February 13 while appearing as a guest on Arise TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja.
- Earlier, counsel for the DSS, Aladedoye, informed the court about the amended five-count charge under which the ex-governor was arraigned.
In his response, El-Rufai’s counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), noted that his client had been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) where he found it difficult to access him, adding that the court ought to consider his bail application dated February 17.
The prosecution further requested an order of the court for the concealment of the identities of witnesses expected to appear in the matter, such as shielding of faces and use of pseudonyms, to prevent possible attacks from the defendant’s supporters.
But defence counsel opposed the application, arguing that the approval would affect the constitutional right of the defendant to know his accusers.
He added that there was no evidence before the court showing El-Rufai had any cult-like followership or posed a threat during the trial to warrant the concealed trial.
After the submissions, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned to May 18, 19 and 20.
