DSS arraigns El-Rufai over tapping of Ribadu’s phone

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja. He was arraigned over his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. The DSS alleged that EI […]

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

He was arraigned over his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

The DSS alleged that EI Rufai intentionally and unlawfully interfered with the communication of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu
Ribadu, which constitutes Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) as contained in Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order, 2024 gazetted as Statutory Instrument No. 21 of 2024, which he admitted February 13 while appearing as a guest on Arise TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja.

The prosecution noted that the offence violated 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.

El Rufai pleaded not guilty to the charge as read out to him, which made the prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), to request three days for trial.

Earlier, counsel to the DSS, Aladedoye informed the court about the amended charge five-count charge under which the ex-governor was arraigned.

In his response, El Rufai’s counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), noted that his client had been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the court ought to consider his bail application dated February 17.

Further, the prosecution requested an order of the court for the concealment of the identities of witnesses expected to appear in the matter such as shielding of faces and use of pseudonyms to prevent possible attacks from the defendant’s supporters.

But defence counsel opposed the application, arguing that the approval would affect the constitutiinal right of the defendant to kniw his accusers.

He added that there was no evidence before the court showing El Rufai had any cult-like followership or posed a threat during the trial.

After the submissions, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned to May 18, 19 and 20.