The trial of Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, over alleged access to a telephone conversation involving Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA), continued at the federal high court in Abuja on Monday.
During the court proceedings, the video showing el-Rufai’s interview on Arise Television on February 13, 2026, was played.
According to NAN, Deji Adeyanju, activist and lawyer, who was subpoenaed, appeared as the second witness to the Department of State Services (DSS) in the case.
The Case
During an interview on ‘Prime Time’, an Arise Television programme, el-Rufai said “someone wiretapped” Ribadu’s phone, allowing him to listen to the NSA instructing security operatives to effect his arrest.
“Someone tapped his phone. The government listens to our calls all the time without a court order. Someone tapped his phone and told us that he gave the order,” El-Rufai said in the interview.
In April, the former governor was arraigned on a five-count amended charge over the alleged unauthorised access to a telephone conversation involving Ribadu. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In May, the court granted N100m bail to the former governor.
Monday’s Court Proceedings
Led in evidence by Oluwole Aladedoye, counsel to DSS, Adeyanju told the court that on February 12, reports were circulating that el-Rufai was either going to be arrested or invited by security agencies.
The activist said he had publicly urged El-Rufai to present himself for investigation, adding that the matter was not politically motivated.
The lawyer told the court that he was also invited by Arise Television for a programme on February 13 — the same day the former governor granted the interview.
The DSS counsel then sought to render the interview recording of el-Rufai at Arise Television.
The court granted the application and the video was played in court.
After the video was played, Adeyanju confirmed that the recording reflected El-Rufai’s interview on February 13.
The DSS counsel also sought to tender Adeyanju’s interview with the same anchor, — Charles Aniagolu — on February 13 alongside a certificate of compliance.
The flash drive containing the video recording and the certificate of compliance were tendered in court and marked “exhibits H and H1”.
The video recording of Adeyanju’s interview was also played in court.
In the video, Anyagolu, asked Adeyanju whether he believed the government truly intended to arrest el-Rufai.
Adeyanju responded that the DSS would have arrested him at the airport if that was their intention.
Continuing his testimony, the activist said after the interview, he later received a letter from the DSS instructing him to appear at their office.
Adeyanju said he honoured the invitation and “reluctantly” made a statement at the DSS office.
The activist said he confirmed to the DSS that el-Rufai made the statement on the phone tapping of the NSA’s conversation.
The Cross-Examination
The activist was cross-examined by Paul Erokoro, the counsel to el-Rufai.
Asked whether he heard el-Rufai saying in the video that he tapped a phone call, Adeyanju responded that: “we listened to their calls”.
El-Rufai’s counsel asked whether it amounts to tapping if a person speaks on telephone’s speaker and others hear it
DSS counsel objected to the line of questioning but el-Rufai’s counsel argued that the question was relevant to explaining the witness’s testimony.
The activist said that if he was present when a phone conversation was played on speaker, he would not have lied about it.
Erokoro asked the activist if would be surprised that the NSA might not be able to identify the device that was purportedly hacked
The activist said he had no opinion on the matter.
The witness said he only appeared in court because he had been summoned and had no choice.
Joyce Abdulmalik, the trial judge, adjourned the matter to June 23 for continuation of trial.
Earlier during the court proceedings, Adeyanju presented the subpoena through which he was summoned to testify in the case.
The document was accepted as exhibit in the case.
