Court Takes Another Action on El-Rufai's Case as DSS Speaks
- A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the hearing of the suit involving the DSS and the former governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai
- The secret police had filed a three-count charge against the former governor on the allegation that he was wiretapping the telephone conversation of the NSA
- El-Rufai had, in an interview, claimed that he listened to the television conversation and accused the NSA of ordering his arrest
A federal high court in Abuja has shifted the date for the arraignment of the immediate past governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, to April 23.
Recall that the Department of State Service (DSS) had filed a three-count charge against the former governor over the allegation of an unlawful interception of the telephone conversation of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Source: Twitter
Why DSS dragged El-Rufai to court
The suit followed the comment made by El-Rufai during a television interview. The court then fixed Wednesday, February 25, for the arraignment of the former governor. However, as the court session commenced on Wednesday, the former governor was absent.
According to The Cable, the counsel to the secret police, Oluwole Aladedoyin, disclosed that the ex-governor is still in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Maintaining that it was the reason the DSS could not present El-Rufai at the court for a hearing.
The prosecuting counsel then called on the court to adjourn the hearing for two weeks to enable the DSS provide El-Rufai in court after the investigation of the ICPC.
However, counsel to El-Rufai, Oluwole Iyamu, who did not oppose the application for the arraignment, moved for a bail application for the former governor. He cited Section 158 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), adding that the court can hear and grant bail, even before the arraignment of the defendant.
El-Rufai's lawyer speaks against continued detention
He argued that for El-Rufai to stay another two weeks in detention before the hearing of his bail would amount to oppressive behaviour” by the prosecution. He alleged that the secret police had the time to prepare the case because the charge was filed on February 16, and claimed that the ex-governor was handed over to the ICPC by the EFCC.
In his response, Adedoyin rejected the claim that the ex-governor was taken into the ICPC custody by the DSS, adding that he "was initially detained by the EFCC. It is from the EFCC that he was taken to the ICPC. He has never been in DSS custody.”
El-Rufai, who dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after he was denied a ministerial slot through Senate screening, reported to the office of the EFCC on his return to Nigeria. He was then arrested by the ICPC after being released by the EFCC and has been in the custody of the anti-graft agency.
In an interview with Legit.ng, Oladotun Hassan, a legal practitioner, in an interview with Legit.ng, said the former governor was only being asked to show the evidence for his allegation. His statement reads:
"He's challenging the NSA with a very sensitive allegation. Now he's being subjected to prove those allegations. Who is that person who gave the information? You need to show the cause. You need to show the evidence. You need to equally show the intent."
Source: Twitter
ICPC denies El-Rufai bail move
Legit.ng earlier reported that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has reportedly been denied a bail application by the ICPC, as a media aide gave an updated development on the matter.
The legal team of the former governor was said to have applied for bail for the former governor, but the anti-graft agency reportedly did not respond to the letter.
The continued detainment of El-Rufai has continued to raise concerns among the legal team and the family of the former governor.
Source: Legit.ng
