The Federal Government on Monday continued the trial of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, at the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Testifying as a prosecution witness, lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju told the court that he did not hear El-Rufai admit to hacking the NSA’s phone line during a television interview that forms the basis of the case.
Under cross-examination, Adeyanju said he was present at the television station on February 13 when El-Rufai appeared on a programme, but only heard the former governor say, “We listened to the conversations of the NSA.”
El-Rufai is facing a five-count amended charge over alleged involvement in the unlawful interception of Ribadu’s communications and failure to report the alleged offence to security agencies.
The witness said he was later invited by the Department of State Services (DSS) to recount what transpired during the interview. According to him, El-Rufai had suggested that another individual carried out the phone interception and passed the information to him.
During the proceedings, the prosecution tendered video recordings of the interview and other related materials, which were admitted as evidence.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the case until Tuesday for continuation of hearing.
Although El-Rufai was previously granted bail in the sum of N100 million with strict conditions, he remains in detention pending the fulfilment of the requirements.
The former governor has denied the allegations and urged the court to dismiss the charges, arguing that comments made during a television interview cannot be treated as a legal confession. However, the court rejected his application and ordered an accelerated trial.