The trial of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai over alleged treason and breach of national security continued in Abuja on Tuesday, with the prosecution presenting evidence linking him to an intercepted conversation involving the National Security Adviser.
The prosecution played a 43-minute interview granted by El-Rufai on Arise News Television, where he allegedly stated that someone had wiretapped a conversation involving the NSA and forwarded it to him. In the interview, El-Rufai defended the act by arguing that governments routinely monitor communications of others too.
A prosecution witness told the court that following the broadcast, investigators interviewed the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, who confirmed that the conversation referenced by El-Rufai had indeed taken place between him and the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
“According to the witness, the ICPC chairman also confirmed having such a discussion with the NSA after portions of the interview were played to him,” the court heard in a statement.
The witness further testified that the anchor of the programme, Charles Aniagolu, alongside activist-lawyer Deji Adeyanju, and a cameraman were invited for questioning. Investigators said Aniagolu confirmed that El-Rufai admitted during the interview that someone intercepted the conversation and passed it to him.
The prosecution tendered statements obtained from Aniagolu and Adeyanju, which were admitted by the court as Exhibits C, C1 and E respectively, without objection from the defence. Another statement from an Arise TV cameraman, Ugochukwu Agalayana, was also admitted as Exhibit D.
El-Rufai is facing charges filed by the Department of State Services for allegedly breaching national security. The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted him bail in the sum of N100 million with one surety in like sum, with stringent conditions attached.
However, he may remain in ICPC custody following a ruling on April 21, 2026, by a Kaduna State High Court refusing his bail application in a separate matter brought by the ICPC. Justice Darius Khobo ruled that the seriousness of the allegations and concerns over interference with investigations outweighed the grounds advanced for his release.
The case continues as the court considers the evidence on the alleged interception of the NSA’s phone communications.
