Fresh details emerged at the Federal High Court in Abuja as the trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, continued over allegations linked to the interception of communications belonging to National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
During proceedings, a prosecution witness told the court that El-Rufai allegedly acknowledged listening to conversations involving the NSA during a televised interview, a statement that has become central to the case being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS).
El-Rufai is facing charges under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 over allegations of unlawful interception of communications and actions said to have affected national security.
What The Witness Told The Court
The second prosecution witness, Deji Adeyanju, told the court that he was present at the television station on February 16 while waiting for his own interview when El-Rufai appeared on air.
Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), Adeyanju said he heard El-Rufai make a statement during the interview which he recalled as:
“We listened to the conversations of the NSA.”
According to the witness, he later gave a statement after reports emerged that security agencies were planning to arrest the former governor.
Adeyanju told the court that he was subsequently invited by the DSS and asked to explain what transpired at the television station.
He said he informed investigators that he was present during the interview and heard El-Rufai make the remarks on air.
The court also watched the television interview during proceedings, after which Adeyanju confirmed it was the same programme in which the alleged statement was made.
According to the witness, when further questioned during the television interview, El-Rufai allegedly explained that another person carried out the interception and later provided him with the information.
During cross-examination by defence counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), Adeyanju clarified that he did not hear El-Rufai specifically state that he hacked Ribadu’s phone lines.
However, he maintained that he heard the former governor say:
“We listened to the conversations of the NSA.”
When asked whether he knew the communication devices used by the National Security Adviser or whether investigators had examined those devices, the witness replied that such matters were outside his responsibility.
The Charges Against El-Rufai
The DSS has filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai.
In the first count, prosecutors alleged that while appearing on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on February 13, 2026, El-Rufai admitted that he and others unlawfully intercepted the communications of the National Security Adviser.
The second count alleges that the former governor acknowledged knowing an individual who carried out the alleged interception but failed to report the person to relevant security agencies.
The third count accuses El-Rufai and others still at large of using technical equipment or systems in a manner that compromised public safety and national security by unlawfully intercepting the communications of the NSA.
According to the charge, the alleged actions created reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians and violated provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act.
The prosecution also tendered an official gazette as evidence during the hearing, which was admitted by the court without objection from the defence.
What Happens Next?
The case remains ongoing, with Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourning further proceedings for the continuation of hearing.
While the prosecution is relying heavily on statements allegedly made during the television interview, the defence is expected to continue challenging the interpretation of those remarks and the evidence linking El-Rufai to any unlawful interception of communications.
The outcome of the trial could have significant implications, as the allegations involve issues of cybercrime, national security, and the alleged interception of communications belonging to one of Nigeria’s top security officials.
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