El-Rufai Arraigned for Allegedly Wiretapping Ribadu

On Thursday, the Federal Government arraigned Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He faces five counts of criminal charges related to an alleged breach of national security, specifically for wiretapping the telephone line of Nuhu Ribadu, a national security adviser.

El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to the amended charges presented against him. During the proceedings, prosecuting counsel Oluwol Aladedoy, SAN, requested three consecutive trial dates, which was opposed by El-Rufai's lawyer, Oluwol Iyamu, citing concerns about the defendant's custody and the nature of the charges.

Iyamu also highlighted a bail application filed on February 17, which had not been addressed. The prosecution sought to conceal the identities of two witnesses expected to testify against El-Rufai, arguing that their safety could be compromised.

The case was adjourned to May 18-20 for further hearings.