DSS arraigns el-Rufai for ‘intercepting’ Ribadu’s phone conversation
The Department of State Services (DSS) has formally arraigned Nasir el-Rufai over allegations that he unlawfully accessed a private telephone conversation involving Nuhu Ribadu.
El-Rufai, who previously served as minister of the Federal Capital Territory, appeared before a Federal High Court in Abuja to face a five-count amended charge filed by the prosecution. At the start of proceedings on Thursday, the DSS informed the court that the original three-count charge had been expanded to five counts. Following this update, the presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, struck out the earlier charges.
The former governor entered a plea of not guilty to all counts.
After the plea, prosecution counsel Oluwole Aladeloye requested that the court fix dates for trial. However, defence counsel Oluwole Iyamu opposed the request, stating that he needed time to properly consult with his client, who he said had been in the custody of multiple security agencies.
Iyamu further informed the court that a bail application had already been filed on February 17, alongside a recently submitted further affidavit. In response, Justice Abdulmalik said the additional affidavit was not in the court’s file, noting that the defence should have ensured proper filing rather than, in her words, engaging in “Nollywood theatrics” involving camera crews in the courtroom.
The defence lawyer denied responsibility for the presence of media personnel.
Proceedings were briefly adjourned to allow clarification on the status of the further affidavit.
