The Federal Government has arraigned former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja for allegedly unlawfully interfering with the communication of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
The former governor was docked on Thursday by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the Federal Government on a five-count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
El-Rufai, however, denied all the allegations levelled against him when the charges were read in court.
When the case was called, counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, informed the court that the matter was fixed for the defendant to take his plea on the amended five-count charge filed on April 13, 2026. He prayed the court to substitute it for the earlier three-count charge.
Responding, counsel to El-Rufai, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, confirmed that he had been served with the amended charge and did not oppose the application.
Consequently, the trial judge struck out the earlier three-count charge filed against the former governor and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
After El-Rufai pleaded not guilty, the prosecution requested three consecutive trial dates for the commencement of trial. This request was strongly opposed by the defence.
Iyamu argued that since the defendant had been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), access to him within the proposed three days might be difficult and not in the best interest of the defence.
He also informed the court of a bail application filed on February 17, 2026.
The prosecution further filed an application seeking an order to conceal the identities of two witnesses scheduled to testify in the matter. It requested that the witnesses’ identities be excluded from public court records and that pseudonyms be used during the trial, citing security concerns for their families.
The defence opposed the application through a written address and further affidavit, urging the court to dismiss it. Counsel argued that it is the constitutional right of an accused person to know their accusers and that there was no evidence showing that El-Rufai posed any threat.
He added that the defendant had dedicated his life to public service and warned that granting blanket anonymity could prejudice the case against him.
The defence also applied for an order directing the prosecution to furnish it with proof of evidence to prepare for trial, which the prosecution opposed via a counter-affidavit.
Additionally, the defence informed the court of an application to quash the charge. However, legal arguments were raised that such an application cannot be brought after a plea has been taken. The prosecution urged the court to dismiss the application for lacking merit.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until May 18, 19, and 20, 2026, to hear the bail application and commence trial.
