El Rufai Trial Stalled As Court Fixes New Date
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The planned arraignment of former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai was stalled on Wednesday after he failed to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT
The court was told that the Department of State Services did not produce him for trial.
LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter to April 23.
El-Rufai is facing a three-count charge linked to the alleged unlawful interception of the phone communication of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The charges border on alleged threats to national security.
He was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which is investigating separate money laundering allegations against him.
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He was later transferred to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
According to prosecutors from the Department of State Services, the former governor allegedly admitted during an appearance on a television programme that he aligned with others to unlawfully intercept the NSA’s calls.
He was charged under provisions of the Cybercrimes Act 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
The DSS also alleged that he failed to report knowledge of the interception to relevant authorities and that technical equipment was used in a way that compromised public safety and national security.
El-Rufai has challenged the charges, arguing that remarks he made during a television interview cannot be treated as a confessional statement in law.
He maintained that the comments were made during a voluntary public discussion and not under caution.
The case remains on hold pending his next scheduled appearance in April.
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