Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El- Rufai, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court, Abuja by the Department of State Services, DSS.
He is facing a three-count charge bordering on alleged unlawful interception of communications, following the comments he made on a national television.
El-Rufai had claimed on live national television interview that the phone lines of the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu were tapped and his conversations were being monitored.
Just as proceedings commenced, Counsel for the DSS informed the court of an amended five-count charge to replace the initial three counts, which the court obliged.
After striking out the initial charge, the former Governor, El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him in open court.
While calling for adjournment by the DSS counsel, for three consecutive trial dates, the defence team objected, stating that they need to confer with their client because he has been in the custody of multiple security agencies.
The defence lawyer then sought to apply for bail, informing the court of a bail application filed on 17 February and a further affidavit filed recently.
The trial Judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik says the further affidavit is not in her docket and she is not inclined for it to be tendered at the bar.
She says the defence should have done due diligence to confirm if the process has been filed in court.
The court then stood down the matter so that the issue of the further affidavit can be sorted.
After proceedings resumed, the court was informed that the missing further affidavit had been found.
The DSS however noted that it did not oppose El-Rufai’s bail application but sought to protect the identities of two witnesses by using pseudonyms and excluding their names from public records, citing security concerns.
The defence opposed the request, arguing El-Rufai has a constitutional right to know his accusers and that there was no evidence he posed any threat.
It also asked the court to compel the prosecution to provide proof of evidence and informed the court of an application to quash the charge.
The prosecution opposed both requests, arguing that the documents sought were unrelated to filed processes and that the application be quashed for lack of merit.
The matter has been adjourned to May 18,19, and 20 for hearing of the bail application.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
