The planned arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations of unlawful interception of the National Security Adviser’s (NSA) telephone line was stalled after the Department of State Service (DSS) failed to produce him in court.
The DSS had filed a three-count charge accusing El-Rufai of unlawful phone interception and breach of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003. Prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladeloye (SAN), told the court that arraignment could not proceed in the defendant’s absence, as El-Rufai was reportedly with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), expressed concern that his client was not produced, arguing that if the DSS intended to bring him to court, it would have been possible given his custody with a sister security agency. He urged the court to hear his client’s pending bail application or order his production.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that bail was premature until the defendant is properly arraigned and adjourned the case to April 23 for arraignment. The prosecution was reminded of its responsibility to ensure the defendant’s presence in court.
