DSS arraigns Nasir El-Rufai in Abuja on amended five-count communications interception case
The Facts
- The Department of State Services arraigned former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
- El-Rufai was arraigned on an amended five-count charge and pleaded not guilty to all counts.
- The case was heard before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
- Prosecutors told the court that a further amended five-count charge filed on April 13 was intended to replace an earlier three-count charge, and the earlier charge was struck out.
- The allegations concern the unlawful interception of communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
- The amended case broadens the earlier prosecution, with reports saying the new counts include allegations tied to national security, communications interception, and related access to protected or classified systems or information.
- After the arraignment, the case remained unresolved, with court proceedings moving next to bail and trial scheduling rather than a determination on the merits.
Context
What changed in court on Thursday?
The prosecution said it had filed a further amended five-count charge on April 13 to replace an earlier three-count case. Defence counsel said he had been served and did not oppose the substitution, after which the court struck out the earlier charge and proceeded with El-Rufai's plea on the amended one Punch Newspapers,Daily Post Nigeria,Guardian.
What are the allegations about?
Multiple reports say the case centers on allegations that El-Rufai unlawfully intercepted communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Some reports also say the amended counts include allegations related to national security, communications laws, and access to protected or classified systems or information Punch Newspapers,Premium Times Niger…,P.M. News.
What happens next in the case?
The immediate next issues before the court are El-Rufai's bail request and the scheduling of further proceedings. Reports say the court adjourned for hearings in May and that the trial has not yet reached the evidence stage Sahara Reporters,Premium Times Niger….
How left and right read it
What stands out is how a case involving alleged interception of communications and access to protected or classified systems is expanding rather than narrowing. With prosecutors replacing an earlier three-count case with a broader five-count charge and the court moving next to bail and trial scheduling, the stakes for public accountability and careful judicial scrutiny are only getting higher.
The key issue here is procedural legitimacy: prosecutors replaced an earlier three-count case with a further amended five-count charge, the court struck out the old charge, and El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to the new one. At this stage, the system has not reached the merits, and the next steps are bail and trial scheduling under the court’s supervision.
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Independent coverage (48)
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