…As court fixes May 18 to commence trial
The federal government has arraigned former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja for allegedly interfering with the communication of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu unlawfully.
The former governor was docked on Thursday by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the federal government on a five-count amended charge, marked, FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
The former governor however denied all the allegations levelled against him by the federal government when the charges were read out to him in the court.
When the case was called, counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, informed the court that the matter was fixed for the defendant to take his plea on an amended five-count charge filed on April 13, 2026.
The lawyer prayed the court to substitute it with the three-count charge earlier filed before the court.
Responding, Counsel to El-Rufai, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, confirmed that he had been served with the amended five-count charge by the prosecution and that he was not opposing.
Consequently, the trial judge struck out the earlier three-count charge filed against the former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
After El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to the charges, prosecution counsel, Aladedoye prayed the court for three consecutive trial dates, for commencement of trial, a request, Iyamu, representing El-Rufai vehemently opposed.
Iyamu submitted that since the defendant had been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), having access to him within the three days of the trial might be difficult and added that, the three days might not be in the best interest of the defendant.
Iyamu also informed the court of an application for the bail of the former governor filed on February 17, 2026.
Prosecution counsel also moved an application seeking an order of court to conceal the identities of two witnesses slated to testify in the matter.
The DSS requested that, the identities of the witnesses should not appear in public court records and that pseudonyms should be used during trial.
The Prosecution argued that, the witnesses’ families could be vulnerable to attack from persons sympathetic to El-Rufai.
The Defence opposed the request through an application, written address, and further affidavit asking the court to dismiss it adding that, it is the constitutional right of an accused person to know his accusers and further submitted that, there was no evidence before the court showing that, El-Rufai had any cult-like followership or posed a threat.
The counsel said the defendant had dedicated his life to public service and warned that granting a blanket anonymity order could create serious prejudice against the accused.
The Defence also applied for an order directing the prosecution to furnish the defence with proof of evidence to prepare for trial, an application the Prosecution opposed through a counter-affidavit.
The Defence informed the court it had also filed an application to quash the charge, but legal arguments were raised that an application to quash cannot be brought after plea has been taken.
The Prosecution filed a written address urging the court to dismiss the application for lacking in merit.
The court adjourned till May 18, 19 and 20 to hear the bail application and commence the trial of the former governor on the five count charges preferred against him by the federal government.
Count one of the charges against the former governor reads, “That you, Mallam Nasir EI Rufai, adult, male, intentionally and unlawfully
interfered with the communication of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, which constitutes Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNI) as
contained in designation and protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order, 2024 gazetted as Statutory Instrument No. 21 of 2024, as
admitted by you on 13th 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 Paragraph 7 (b) & (c) of the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information
Infrastructure Order, 2024 and punishable under Section 5 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count two reads, “That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, without authorization, intentionally
secured access to classified information by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu
Ribadu, ordering your arrest and detention on 12th of February, 2026, as admitted by you on 13th 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 6 (2)
of the Cybererimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.
In count three, the former governor was accused of intentionally and without authorization, intercepted the communications of the NSA, which he admitted on 13th February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on a programme on Arise TV station in Abuja, thereby committed an offence contrary
to and punishable under Section 12 (1) of the Cybererimes (Prohibition,
Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.
In count four, El Rufai was accused to have aided, abetted, procured and/or related with certain individual, who unlawfully intercepted the communications
of Nuhu Ribadu, without reporting the said individual to relevant security agencies, as admitted by him on 13th February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV Station.
The federal government accused
El Rufai in count five of using 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 NSA, which he admitted during an interview on Arise TV station’s prime time Programme in Abuja.
The federal government said, the Prosecution shall rely on the proof of evidence already filed with the Amended Charge on the 8th of April, 2026.
END
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