BREAKING: DSS arraigns el-Rufai over alleged interception of Ribadu’s phone

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned Nasir el-Rufai, former Kaduna state governor, for allegedly accessing the telephone conversation of Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA).

The ex-minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is being prosecuted on a five-count amended charge before a federal high court in Abuja.

At the commencement of proceedings on Thursday, the prosecution informed the court that the charge has been amended from three to five counts.

Consequently, Joyce Abdulmalik, presiding judge, struck out the previous count.

El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to the five-count amended charge.

BAIL APPLICATION STALLED 

After el-Rufai pleaded not guilty, Oluwole Aladeloye, counsel to the DSS, requested for trial dates.

Objecting, Oluwole Iyamu, counsel to el-Rufai, said he needs to engage with his client because he has been in the custody of multiple security agencies.

Iyamu told the court that the bail application had been filed on February 17 and that a further affidavit was recently filed.

Joyce Abdulmalik, trial judge, said the further affidavit is not in her docket.

Abdulmalik said Iyamu should have carried out his due diligence of filing the process rather than engaging in Nollywood theatrics of camera personnel taking pictures in her courtroom.

The defendant’s lawyer said he did not invite the camera personnel.

The judge stood down the matter so the issue of the further affidavit can be sorted.

BACKGROUND

In February, during an interview on ‘Prime Time’, an Arise Television programme, el-Rufai said “someone wiretapped” Ribadu’s phone, allowing him to listen to the NSA instructing security operatives to effect his arrest.

“He made the call because we listened to their calls. The government thinks they are the only ones that listen to calls but we also have our ways. He made the call and gave the order,” el-Rufai had said.

“Someone tapped his phone. The government listens to our calls all the time without a court order. Someone tapped his phone and told us that he gave the order.”