The Department of State Services on Thursday arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a revised five-count charge involving alleged illegal interception of communications and threats to national security.
El-Rufai, who was brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
During the resumed hearing, DSS counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), told the court that the case was scheduled for the defendant to enter his plea, adding that an amended five-count charge had been filed on April 13.
He asked the court to replace the earlier three-count charge with the updated one.
Count four of the amended charges reads “That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, intentionally and without authorization, intercepted the communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, as admitted by you on 13” February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count five reads, “ That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male and other still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable, did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety, national security and instilling reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to which you admitted during an interview on 13” February, 2026, on Arise TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) of Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.”
Counsel to the defendant, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), confirmed receipt of the amended charge and stated that he had no objection to its substitution.
Following the request, the court struck out the earlier three-count charge and proceeded to read the amended counts to the former governor, who again entered a “not guilty” plea.
The prosecution subsequently requested three consecutive hearing dates. However, the defence opposed the request, arguing that the defendant’s ability to consult his lawyers might be limited due to his detention under the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The defence also notified the court of a pending bail application filed on February 17, explaining that a further affidavit was earlier missing from the file but was later found during proceedings.
The DSS, however, said it was not opposing the bail application.
In another application, the prosecution asked the court to permit the concealment of two witnesses’ identities, requesting that their names be removed from public records and replaced with pseudonyms, citing security concerns for their families.
The defence opposed the request, arguing that it violated the constitutional right of the accused to know his accusers and that no proof had been presented to support fears of targeted threats.
The defence further urged the court to compel the prosecution to provide proof of evidence to allow proper preparation for trial, an application the prosecution opposed, describing it as unrelated to the processes before the court.
The defence also filed an application seeking to quash the amended charge, while the prosecution urged the court to dismiss it on grounds that it lacked merit and could not stand after the plea had been taken.
After listening to arguments from both parties, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case to May 18, 19, and 20 for hearing.
