Court plays El-Rufai’s Arise TV interview as DSS testifies against ex-Kaduna governor

The trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged unauthorised access to a telephone conversation involving the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, continued on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, with the court playing a video recording of an interview at the centre of the case.

During the proceedings, activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju testified as the second witness for the Department of State Services (DSS). Adeyanju, who appeared under subpoena, confirmed that the video played in court was an interview granted by El-Rufai on Arise Television on February 13, 2026.

The case stems from comments made by El-Rufai during the television programme, in which he alleged that someone had accessed Ribadu’s phone conversation and informed him that the NSA had directed security operatives to arrest him. The former governor was arraigned in April on a five-count amended charge and pleaded not guilty. He was later granted bail in the sum of N100 million.

While being led in evidence by DSS counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, Adeyanju told the court that reports had circulated before the interview suggesting that El-Rufai might be arrested or invited by security agencies. He said he publicly advised the former governor to make himself available for any investigation and maintained that the matter was not politically motivated.

The DSS subsequently tendered the video recording of El-Rufai’s interview, which was admitted and played in open court. Adeyanju also confirmed the authenticity of the recording after viewing it.

The court further admitted a flash drive containing Adeyanju’s own interview on the same programme and a certificate of compliance as exhibits. In that interview, Adeyanju had expressed doubt that security agencies intended to arrest El-Rufai, arguing that such action would likely have been taken immediately if there had been a genuine plan to do so.

Continuing his testimony, Adeyanju told the court that he later received a letter from the DSS inviting him for questioning. He said he honoured the invitation and made a statement in which he confirmed that El-Rufai had made remarks concerning the alleged interception of Ribadu’s telephone conversation.

During cross-examination by El-Rufai’s counsel, Paul Erokoro, Adeyanju was questioned on whether the former governor explicitly admitted tapping a phone line. The witness maintained that his understanding was based on El-Rufai’s statement that “we listened to their calls.” He also said he would not misrepresent events if he had merely heard a conversation played on a phone speaker. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until June 23 for continuation of trial.