Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has pleaded not guilty to a five-count amended charge filed by the Department of State Services over alleged breaches of national security.
El-Rufai was arraigned on Thursday, April 23, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the prosecution moved to substitute an earlier three-count charge with a revised five-count version filed on April 13, 2026.
Counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), told the court that the matter was set for the defendant to take his plea and requested that the amended charge replace the previous one.
Defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), confirmed he had been served and did not oppose the application, leading the court to strike out the earlier charge.
Following the reading of the charges, El-Rufai entered a plea of not guilty. The prosecution subsequently asked for three consecutive days to conduct the trial, but the defence objected, citing limited access to the defendant, who is currently being held by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Iyamu also reminded the court of a pending bail application filed on February 17, 2026. Although a supporting affidavit was initially missing, the court stood down the matter briefly before it was found. The DSS later indicated that it does not oppose the bail request.
The prosecution further applied for an order to shield the identities of two witnesses, asking the court to allow the use of pseudonyms and restrict disclosure of their details in public records.
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The DSS argued that the witnesses’ families could be exposed to danger from individuals sympathetic to the defendant.
However, the defence opposed the application, maintaining that it violates the constitutional right of the accused to know his accusers.
It added that no evidence had been presented to show that El-Rufai poses any threat or commands a following capable of intimidating witnesses.
El-Rufai’s legal team also urged the court to compel the prosecution to provide proof of evidence to enable adequate preparation for trial.
The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that the documents sought were not part of its filed processes.
In addition, the defence informed the court that it had filed an application seeking to quash the charges.
The matter continues as the court considers the applications filed by both parties.