The Federal Government has arraigned former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, on an amended five-count charge bordering on alleged breach of national security.
El-Rufai was docked before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, where he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
At the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), told the court that the matter was scheduled for the defendant’s plea but disclosed that a further amended charge filed on April 13 had replaced the earlier three-count charge. He urged the court to adopt the new charge, a move not opposed by defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN). The court subsequently struck out the initial charge.
Following the plea, the prosecution applied for three consecutive trial dates. The defence opposed the request, arguing that the defendant’s custody with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) could make access difficult within such a tight schedule. Iyamu also reminded the court of a pending bail application filed on February 17.
Although an accompanying further affidavit was initially missing from the court file, proceedings were briefly stood down to allow for its regularisation. Upon resumption, the document was located, and the prosecution confirmed it was not opposing bail.
The prosecution further sought an order to shield the identities of two key witnesses, asking that their names be excluded from public records and that pseudonyms be used during trial, citing security concerns.
The defence pushed back, insisting the accused has a constitutional right to know his accusers and arguing that no evidence had been presented to justify such protection. It warned that granting anonymity could prejudice the defendant.
In addition, the defence requested that the prosecution furnish it with proof of evidence to prepare for trial, a move opposed by the prosecution on the grounds that the materials sought were not part of its filed processes.
The defence also filed an application to quash the charge, but the prosecution argued that such an application is incompetent after a plea has already been taken. Both sides adopted their written addresses on the issue.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to May 18, 19, and 20 for hearing.
In the amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, the Federal Government accused el-Rufai of offences including unlawful interception of communications, unauthorised access to classified information, and acts alleged to have compromised national security.
The prosecution said the allegations relate to the interception of communications linked to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, describing the data as part of the country’s Critical National Information Infrastructure.
