Court Adjourns El-Rufai’s Arraignment to April 23 Over Absence

The arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged cybercrime and breach of national security was on Wednesday stalled after the Department of State Services (DSS) failed to produce him in court.

At the resumed hearing, counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladejoye, informed Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that the defendant remained in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC), where he is reportedly being investigated for alleged misappropriation of funds.

Following the development, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until April 23 for arraignment.

El-Rufai is facing a three-count charge bordering on the alleged unlawful interception of phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in violation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.

He is also accused of deploying technical systems capable of compromising public safety and national security, and allegedly instilling public apprehension, contrary to provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act.

The charges stem from comments reportedly made by the former governor during a February 13 interview on Arise News, in which he claimed to have knowledge of intercepted phone communications involving the National Security Adviser, allegedly revealing a planned attempt to arrest him.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the DSS nor the ICPC had issued an official statement on the matter.