BREAKING: Abuja Court Adjourns El-Rufai’s Trial Over ‘NSA Phone Tapping’ To May For Accelerated Hearing, Orders Remand
The case was adjourned to May 18, 19, and 20 for accelerated hearing on pending applications, including the determination of El-Rufai’s bail request.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations of unlawful interception of the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The case was adjourned to May 18, 19, and 20 for accelerated hearing on pending applications, including the determination of El-Rufai’s bail request.
At Thursday’s resumed proceedings, counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Senior Advocate of Nigeria Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the matter was set for the defendant to take his plea and that a further amended five-count charge had been filed on April 13.
He urged the court to substitute the earlier three-count charge with the amended charge.
El-Rufai had earlier pleaded not guilty to all counts brought against him by the DSS.
Following submissions from both parties, the court ordered that the former governor be remanded in DSS custody. However, El-Rufai’s counsel objected, arguing that his client was currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), where he is also facing separate proceedings.
In view of the conflicting claims, the court directed both parties to clarify whether El-Rufai remains in ICPC custody or should be transferred to DSS custody.
The matter was subsequently adjourned for continuation of hearing.
El-Rufai is facing a five-count amended charge bordering on alleged interception and unauthorised access to sensitive security communications. The prosecution alleges that the offences arose from statements he made during a February 2026 appearance on Arise Television, where he reportedly claimed that associates had intercepted conversations involving the National Security Adviser.
During the proceedings presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the prosecution told the court that the original three-count charge had been expanded to five counts, prompting the striking out of the earlier charge sheet. El-Rufai, however, maintained his plea of not guilty to all charges.
“He (Ribadu) made the call because we listened to their call,” El-Rufai had said.
He further stated, “Someone tapped his phone. The government listens to our calls all the time without a court order. Someone tapped his phone and told us that he gave the order.”
El-Rufai also defended the act, saying, “Government thinks they are the only ones that listen to calls, but we also have our ways.”
The remarks sparked widespread outrage, with calls for his investigation and prosecution.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, had questioned whether the former governor and his associates possessed illegal surveillance capabilities.
“This should be thoroughly investigated, and punishment meted out. El-Rufai is not too big to face the wrath of the law,” Onanuga said at the time.
According to court documents previously obtained by SaharaReporters, one of the counts alleges that El-Rufai admitted to unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s communications, contrary to the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
