By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday replayed a televised interview featuring former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as proceedings continued in the alleged unlawful telephone interception case involving the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, who testified as the second prosecution witness before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, told the court that the recording accurately reflected events he witnessed during the February 13 edition of Arise Television’s programme where El-Rufai made controversial claims about alleged phone surveillance.
Adeyanju said he had earlier been aware of reports suggesting El-Rufai might be arrested or invited by security agencies upon returning from Cairo, Egypt, and had publicly advised him to comply with any such invitation.
He confirmed that both he and the former governor appeared on the same programme, noting that his own segment aired after El-Rufai’s appearance.
“I went to Arise, and El-Rufai was also on the show. My segment came after his,” he told the court.
The witness said he later made a statement to the State Security Service (SSS) after being invited, confirming that El-Rufai had suggested that security agencies “listened to calls” in relation to the matter.
Following an application by prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), the court ordered the replay of the interview earlier tendered in evidence.
After watching the footage, Adeyanju confirmed it matched what transpired during the broadcast.
The prosecution also tendered a subpoena and digital recording of the interview, which were admitted as exhibits alongside a certificate of compliance, following no objection from the defence.
During cross-examination, defence counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), challenged the witness on whether El-Rufai explicitly stated that he tapped telephone conversations. Adeyanju maintained that the former governor had said, “We listened to their calls.”
He added that he would report any confirmed phone hacking allegation, noting he had no technical knowledge of how such interception could be carried out.
The court also heard Adeyanju’s earlier remarks describing El-Rufai as an “ardent violator of human rights” and calling for investigations into alleged corruption claims.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to June 23 for continuation of trial proceedings.
El-Rufai is facing a five-count charge filed by the SSS in February over allegations linked to his public claim that telephone conversations involving the NSA were intercepted. He was arraigned on April 23 and granted bail in the sum of ₦100 million after pleading not guilty.
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