Why El-Rufai Was Moved To DSS Custody — Prosecution Speaks

According to court proceedings at the Federal High Court, the prosecution said the decision to relocate El-Rufai was prompted by actions allegedly taken by members of his family while he was being held by the ICPC.

El-Rufai is standing trial on a five-count charge linked to statements he made during an interview on Arise Television, in which he reportedly claimed that private telephone conversations involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, were intercepted and forwarded to him.

Lead prosecuting counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, told the court that tensions escalated on May 15 when one of El-Rufai’s wives allegedly arrived at the ICPC facility with cameramen and livestreamed claims that the former governor was being denied food and access to family members.

The prosecution also accused political activist Timi Frank of publishing statements suggesting that El-Rufai’s safety could be at risk while in custody. Prosecutors argued that these developments generated public controversy and prompted security agencies to transfer him to DSS custody.

Aladedoye further alleged that El-Rufai’s relatives used the media to frame the trial as politically motivated and openly criticized the conditions attached to the bail granted to the former governor.

In response, defence counsel E. E. Ekere rejected the allegations and maintained that his client should not be held accountable for comments or actions by third parties outside the courtroom.

Presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, said she was not influenced by social media narratives and emphasized that online commentary should not interfere with judicial proceedings.

During the hearing, the court admitted into evidence a flash drive containing a 43-minute interview El-Rufai granted to Arise Television.

A prosecution witness identified only as APC testified that investigators interviewed Ribadu, who confirmed that the conversation referred to by El-Rufai did indeed take place. The witness added that the ICPC chairman also acknowledged discussing the issue with the National Security Adviser after watching excerpts from the interview.

Under cross-examination, however, the witness admitted that investigators did not examine communication devices, obtain IP addresses, or conduct any forensic analysis to verify how the alleged interception occurred.

Despite this, the witness told the court that El-Rufai consistently maintained that the conversation was intercepted and sent to him.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until June 22 and 23 for continuation of the trial.