The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations that he accessed the telephone conversation of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
El-Rufai, who also served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, is facing 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 had been amended from three to five counts, prompting the presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, to strike out the earlier charges.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following his plea, counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladeloye, requested trial dates. However, defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, objected, stating that he needed time to confer with his client, who he said had been in the custody of multiple security agencies.
Iyamu also told the court that a bail application had been filed on February 17, along with a further affidavit. The trial judge, however, noted that the additional filing was not in her records and advised the defence to ensure proper documentation.
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In a sharp remark, Abdulmalik cautioned against what she described as “Nollywood theatrics” in the courtroom, referencing the presence of camera personnel during proceedings. The defence counsel denied inviting any media presence.
The court subsequently stood down the matter to allow clarification on the filing of the additional affidavit.
The case stems from comments made by El-Rufai in February during a television interview, where he alleged that a third party had intercepted Ribadu’s phone conversation, enabling him to hear instructions purportedly given for his arrest.
He had claimed that while the government routinely monitors communications, others also possess the capability to do so—an assertion that has now formed the basis of the charges against him.