The DSS has arraigned former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai in Abuja over alleged unlawful wiretapping of the National Security Adviser’s communications, with the defendant pleading not guilty.
Nasir El-Rufai has been arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of unlawfully wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser.
The former governor was brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on a five-count amended charge bordering on interference with the communications of Nuhu Ribadu, which the prosecution described as Critical National Information Infrastructure under the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order, 2024. According to the DSS, the alleged offence violates provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024. El-Rufai, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, prompting prosecuting counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), to request three days for trial.
During proceedings, defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), urged the court to consider his client’s bail application, noting that El-Rufai had been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Meanwhile, the prosecution sought an order to shield the identities of its witnesses through the use of pseudonyms and face coverings, citing security concerns, but the defence opposed the request, arguing that it would infringe on the defendant’s constitutional right to know his accusers and that there was no evidence he posed any threat.
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