Anietie Udobit, Abuja
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been arraigned by the Department of State Services over allegations of unlawfully accessing a private telephone conversation involving National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
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The high-profile case, brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja, saw prosecutors file an amended five-count charge—up from the initial three—marking an escalation in the legal battle.
Presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, oversaw proceedings as the prosecution sought to substitute the earlier charge with the updated version. El-Rufai, represented by senior counsel, pleaded not guilty to all counts.
The prosecution pushed for an accelerated trial schedule, but the defence objected, citing logistical challenges in accessing the defendant, who is currently in custody.
The case took another turn as the court paused proceedings to allow the defence regularise filings related to a pending bail application.
The trial is expected to test legal boundaries around privacy, national security, and alleged misuse of sensitive information.