El-Rufai arraigned over alleged interception of NSA Nuhu Ribadu calls

The immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations that he intercepted phone conversations linked to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Mr El-Rufai pleaded not guilty on Thursday to a five-count amended charge filed by the Department of State Services. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/99/2026, was heard before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

Prosecuting counsel Oluwole Aladeloye (SAN) told the court the amended charge replaced an earlier three-count filing. Defence counsel Oluwole Iyamu (SAN) confirmed receipt of the new charge and raised no objection to his client’s arraignment.

Following the plea, the prosecution asked for an adjournment to begin its case, seeking three consecutive hearing days. The defence opposed the request, citing concerns over limited access to the defendant, who remains in custody, which could affect trial preparation. Mr Iyamu also informed the court of a pending bail application filed on 17 February.

Proceedings were briefly halted during arguments on bail after the judge noted that a referenced document was missing from the court’s file. The matter resumed after the document was supplied, with the defence formally moving the bail application. The prosecution did not oppose bail but urged the court to impose conditions to ensure the defendant’s attendance at trial.

The prosecution also applied for an order to conceal the identities of two witnesses, both said to be officials of the DSS, citing security concerns. It requested that the witnesses testify under pseudonyms and that their identities be excluded from public records.

The defence objected, arguing that the defendant has a constitutional right to know his accusers and that no evidence had been presented to justify anonymity. Mr Iyamu warned that granting such an order could prejudice the case against his client.

Further applications were made by the defence, including a request for disclosure of evidence and a motion to quash the charges. Both were opposed by the prosecution, which described them as lacking merit or relevance.

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik ordered an accelerated hearing and adjourned the case to 18, 19 and 20 May for decisions on the pending applications and for the prosecution to open its case.

The judge also directed that Mr El-Rufai be remanded in the custody of the DSS. He had earlier been brought to court from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission in connection with a separate matter. Defence lawyers were instructed to comply with DSS procedures, while the agency was ordered to grant them access to their client to prepare his defence.