El-Rufai Pleads Not Guilty As DSS Arraigns Ex-minister For ‘Intercepting’ Ribadu’s Phone Conversation 

 

By Olumuyiwa Olumuyiwa

 

From all indications, the last has not been heard about the litigation involving the  Department of State Services (DSS) and former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

 

 

This is as the DSS arraigned el-Rufai for allegedly  accessing the telephone conversation of Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA).

 

The case against el-Rufai witnessed a dramatic twist as the prosecution informed the court of the intention to amend  the charge against the former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from the initial three to five counts.

 

 

The prosecution made this known at a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.

 

The presiding court granted the prosecution’s request by striking out the previous count.

 

Meanwhile, el-Rufai pleaded not guilty to the five-count amended charge.

 

There was, however, a  mild drama in the courtroom following a request by the counsel to el-Rufai, Oluwole Iyamu.

 

Iyamu had objected a previous request by Oluwole Aladeloye, counsel to the DSS, who asked for trial dates.

 

El-Rufai’s counsel  based his objection on the grounds that he needs ample time to engage with  his client because he has been in the custody of multiple security agencies recently.

 

Iyamu told the court that the bail application had been filed on February 17 and that a further affidavit was recently filed.

 

Drama, however, ensued when Joyce Abdulmalik, trial judge, said the further affidavit is not in her docket adding that Iyamu’s should have carried out due diligence before appearing before his court.

 

Abdulmalik described Iyamu’s action as akin to “engaging in Nollywood theatrics of camera personnel taking pictures” in her courtroom.

 

The defendant’s lawyer said he did not invite the camera personnel.

 

The judge stood down the matter so the issue of the further affidavit can be sorted.

 

 

El-Rufai’s case was sparked by a remark he made while featuring on  ‘Prime Time’, an Arise Television programme, in February.

 

The former governor had commented that  “someone wiretapped” Ribadu’s phone, allowing him to listen to the NSA instructing security operatives to effect his arrest.

 

 

 

“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.” the ex-minister added.