Trial of El-Rufai by DSS for national security breach stalled

By Taiye Agbaje

The planned arraignment of former governor Nasir El-Rufai by the Department of State Services (DSS) on charges bordering on national security breach was stalled at the Federal High Court, Abuja on Wednesday.

El-Rufai was scheduled to appear before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

But the former governor was absent in court when the case was called.

DSS lawyer, Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, informed the court that though the matter was scheduled for the defendant to take his plea, he was yet to be released to them by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) which also also investigating the former governor.

Aladedoye said he already had a discussion with the counsel for El-Rufai and had agreed to come another date.

Responding, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, who confirmed Aladedoye’s submission, however, raised the issue of bail for his client.

Justice Abdulmalik fixed today, Feb. 25 for El-Rufai’s arraignment on a three-count criminal charge filed against him over alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

The service accused El-Rufai of breaching the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act, (2024), and the Nigerian Communications Act (2003.)

In count on, El Rufai was alleged to have, on Feb. 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, did admit during the interview that he and his cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, Mr Ribadu.

The charges followed claim by El-Rufai during a live interview on the TV station, claimed he overheard NSA Ribadu directing security operatives to detain him.

He linked the alleged directive to an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Feb. 12y after his return from Cairo, Egypt.

El-Rufai was detained after he reported himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Monday.

The EFCC handed him over to the ICPC after grilling him for three days.

(NAN)