DSS Arraigns el-Rufai For ‘Intercepting’ Ribadu’s Phone Conversation

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned Nasir el-Rufai, former Kaduna state governor, for allegedly accessing the telephone conversation of Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA).

The ex-minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is being prosecuted on a five-count amended charge before a federal high court in Abuja.

At the commencement of proceedings on Thursday, the prosecution informed the court that the charge has been amended from three counts to five-count.

Consequently, Joyce Abdulmalik, presiding judge, struck out the previous count.

El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to the five-count amended charge.

In February, during an interview on ‘Prime Time’, an Arise Television programme, el-Rufai said “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.”