Nasir El-Rufai: Court Takes Fresh Action on Ex-Kaduna Governor's Case
- Former Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, would be appearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, February 25
- Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the trial court announced the date after the case was assigned to her by the chief judge, Justice John Tsoho
- On Monday, February 16, the secret police filed a three-count criminal charge against the former governor after his alleged participation in the wiretapping of the telephone line of Nuhu Ribadu, the NSA
The Department of State Service (DSS) is set to arraign the immediate past governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, over the allegation of cybercrime and the breach of national security on Wednesday, February 25.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court (FHC) announced the date for the arraignment after the chief judge, the , assigned the case to her.
Source: Twitter
DSS files 3-count charge against El-Rufai
Premium Times reported that on Monday, February 16, the secret police filed a three-count criminal charge against the former governor after his alleged participation in the wiretapping of the telephone line of Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA). The file suit is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026.
In an interview, the former governor alleged that the NSA ordered his arrest following what he described as a failed move to arrest and detain him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday, February 12.
The chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) also alleged that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) used the Department of State Services (DSS) to carry out the action.
When asked how he knew that the NSA ordered his arrest, the former governor said he and others listened to his conversation. His statement reads:
“He made the call because we listened to their calls. The government thinks that they are the only ones who listen to calls. But we also have our ways.”
Nasir El-Rufai: Analyst addresses alleged wiretapping
Oladotun Hassan, a political commentator, who spoke with Legit.ng in an exclusive interview, called for accountability and protection of people's privacy. He said:
"It is classified information. It's only meant for the ears and knowledge of the president of the country. So if El-Rufai is already tapping the NSA's phone, the president's phone, the wife's, every governor's phone, even your and my phones, are not protected. So there is a need to protect and guarantee the safety of privacy."
Nigerians react as court decides El-Rufai's case
Meanwhile, the news of the former governor's arraignment has started generating reactions from Nigerians. Below are some of their reactions:
Blackmann CEO faulted El-Rufai's comment:
"The Marriage between law and politics is so smooth to that extent that you can't even differentiate between the two of them. Obviously, you will see that the charges are political; you can't deny that he committed an infraction of the law. El Rufai messed himself up."
Source: Twitter
Tobe hoped El-Rufai would win the case
"I don’t think they have a case here because the burden of proof is on the prosecution (not the accused). The prosecution must prove the allegation beyond a reasonable doubt under the Evidence Act and constitutional fair-hearing principles or else it's hearsay."
Nze Ndi Anambra challenged NSA to testify against El-Rufai in court:
"I want to see Ribadu come to court and testify that his phone was tapped. Nigerians and the international community want to check something."
Diana-Abasi commented:
"I don't want to see his family roaming around Aso villa to beg. Let him enter trial like a big boy, he claimed to be."
You can read more comments on X here:
El-Rufai speaks on sacking Tinubu
Legit.ng earlier reported that former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai urged the opposition to unite against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
El-Rufai explained that the airport incident intensified his resolve to challenge the ruling APC administration in the next poll.
The former governor's legal team had criticised the alleged unlawful arrest attempt, asserting a lack of proper procedure by security operatives.
Source: Legit.ng
