The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned Nasir el-Rufai, former Kaduna state governor, for allegedly intercepting the telephone conversation of national security adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
A federal high court in Abuja is prosecuting the former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on a five-count amended allegation.
The prosecution told the court that the charge had been changed from three to five counts at the start of proceedings on Thursday.
Consequently, Joyce Abdulmalik, presiding judge, struck out the previous count.
El-rufai however pleaded not guilty to the five-count amended charge.
Backstory…
In an interview with Arise Television’s “Prime Time” in February, el-Rufai said that “someone wiretapped” Ribadu’s phone so he could hear the NSA giving security personnel orders to arrest him.
“He made the call because we listened to their calls. The government thinks they are the only ones that listen to calls but we also have our ways. He made the call and gave the order,” el-Rufai had said.
“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.”
BAIL APPLICATION STALLED
Following el-Rufai not guilty plea, Oluwole Aladeloye, counsel to the DSS, requested for trial dates.
Oluwole Iyamu, el-Rufai’s lawyer, objected, stating that he must speak with his client because he has been detained by several security services.
Iyamu informed the court that an additional affidavit had just been filed and that the bail application had been submitted on February 17.
Joyce Abdulmalik, trial judge, said the further affidavit is not in her docket.
Abdulmalik stated that instead of participating in Nollywood theatrics by having camera operators take images in her courtroom, Iyamu ought to have done his due diligence and filed the procedure.
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