By Paul Joseph
A prosecution witness has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, allegedly admitted during a live television interview that the phone conversations of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, were intercepted.
The witness, Barrister Deji Adeyanju, made the disclosure while testifying in the ongoing trial in which El-Rufai is facing charges linked to alleged unlawful interception of communications.
Adeyanju, who appeared as the second prosecution witness, said the controversial remarks were made during an Arise Television programme aired on February 13, 2026, the same day the alleged confession reportedly occurred.
According to him, El-Rufai stated on air that “we listened to the conversations of the NSA,” a comment the prosecution says amounts to an admission of wiretapping.
The case, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, centres on allegations that the former governor and unnamed associates unlawfully intercepted communications belonging to the National Security Adviser.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Oluwole Aladedoye, Adeyanju confirmed that he later provided a statement to the Department of State Services (DSS) following the broadcast.
He also told the court that he was invited by DSS investigators to clarify what he witnessed during the live programme, insisting that he was present when the statements were made.
During proceedings, the prosecution tendered several materials, including a subpoena used to summon the witness, which was admitted as Exhibit G, as well as a recording of the Arise TV interview, which the witness confirmed in court.
A flash drive containing Adeyanju’s own interview statement, along with a certificate of compliance, was also admitted as Exhibits H and H1.
Under cross-examination, Adeyanju maintained that while El-Rufai did not explicitly say he “hacked” the NSA’s phone, he referenced individuals who allegedly “listened to the conversations of the NSA.”
The defence challenged parts of the testimony, questioning the interpretation of the remarks and the technical details surrounding the alleged interception.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, stems from charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) accusing El-Rufai of violating provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The court adjourned the matter to June 23 for continuation of trial as proceedings continue.
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