The federal high court in Abuja on Monday played back a televised interview granted by Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state as proceedings continued in a case involving allegations of illegal phone interception against him by
The video replay formed part of testimony presented before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik during the ongoing trial instituted by the State Security Service (SSS).
Deji Adeyanju, human rights lawyer who testified as the second prosecution witness, told the court that the broadcast accurately reflected the events of an Arise Television programme aired on February 13, during which El-Rufai made controversial claims involving alleged interception of conversations linked to National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Adeyanju said he was also featured on the same programme and responded to statements made by the former governor, describing some of them as inaccurate.
He recalled that prior to the interview, there were public reports suggesting El-Rufai might be arrested or invited by security agencies upon returning from a trip to Cairo, Egypt.
The witness said he had urged the former governor to comply with any lawful invitation from security operatives, stressing that the matter should not be viewed through a political lens.
During proceedings, the court admitted a subpoena compelling Adeyanju to testify, alongside video evidence of the broadcast and compliance documentation submitted by the prosecution. No objection was raised by the defence.
The prosecution also presented additional evidence, including recordings and certification materials, all of which were admitted by the court.
In his testimony, Adeyanju maintained that El-Rufai had made remarks suggesting surveillance of telephone conversations, referencing statements such as “we listened to their calls.”
Under cross-examination, he insisted that his appearance in court was based on a legal summons and reiterated his account of the televised exchange.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter to June 23 for continuation of hearing.
