DSS Arraigns Nasir El-Rufai on Security Charges

The Department of State Services (DSS) arraigned former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on five amended charges concerning alleged breaches of national security. The arraignment took place before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all counts.

The DSS lawyer, Oluwol Aladedoy, informed the court that the matter had been fixed for the defendant's plea, and he sought three consecutive trial dates. However, El-Rufai's counsel, Oluwol Iyamu, objected to this application, arguing that the three-day trial schedule would not be in the best interest of the defendant, who is currently in custody.

Iyamu also noted that a bail application filed on February 17 had not been supported by a further affidavit in court. The judge subsequently stood down the matter for further consideration.