The trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was stalled on Wednesday after he failed to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja for his arraignment over the alleged unlawful interception of the phone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
The Department of State Services (DSS), which filed the three-count charge against him, was unable to produce El-Rufai in court. When the case was called, the court was informed that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) still had him in its custody.
Following this development, trial judge Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned proceedings until April 23.
El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023 and previously served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was expected to enter his plea to charges described by the DSS as posing a threat to national security.
According to the charge sheet endorsed by DSS prosecutors led by M. E. Ernest, the former governor allegedly admitted during a February 13 appearance on Arise TV that he collaborated with certain individuals to unlawfully intercept the NSA’s telephone conversations. The offence is said to contravene Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
The DSS further accused El-Rufai of failing to report the alleged crime, contrary to Section 27(b) of the same Act. He was also charged under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, for allegedly acting with others still at large to use technical equipment in a manner that compromised public safety and national security.
However, El-Rufai has filed a motion challenging the validity of the charge, arguing that comments made during a televised interview cannot constitute a confessional statement in law. He insisted that for a confession to be admissible, it must be made under caution and follow established legal safeguards.
The former governor had earlier claimed that an attempt by DSS operatives to detain him at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on February 12, 2026, was politically motivated, an allegation authorities have yet to address publicly.
