Phone-tapping charge: Witness denies hearing El-Rufai admit to hacking NSA’s line

The trial of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai continued in Abuja, with the Federal Government presenting another witness. El-Rufai, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, faces a five-count charge for allegedly participating in the unlawful interception of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu's phone communications.

During the proceedings, a lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, testified that he was present during a February 13 Arise Television interview where El-Rufai made remarks that led to his trial. Adeyanju stated that while he heard the former governor say, "We listened to the conversations of the NSA," he did not hear El-Rufai specifically claim to have hacked the NSA's phone lines.

The charges against El-Rufai include breaching national security and public safety, offenses punishable under the Cybercrimes Act. He is also accused of failing to report the alleged crime to the relevant security agencies.

The court viewed a clip of the Arise Television interview involving El-Rufai. Adeyanju, who was subpoenaed to testify, had previously issued a public statement after reports of El-Rufai's impending arrest. He also provided a statement to the Department of State Services recounting the events of the television studio.

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We listened to the conversations of the NSA.