Court Replays El-Rufai’s TV Interview as Witness Testifies in Phone Tapping Trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday replayed a television interview by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, during proceedings in the alleged phone tapping case filed against him by the State Security Service (SSS).

Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, who appeared as the second prosecution witness, told Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that the recording accurately captured the February 13 interview aired on Arise Television.

Adeyanju said he was also featured on the same programme and listened to El-Rufai make claims concerning an alleged interception of a telephone conversation involving National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The lawyer recalled that before the interview, reports had emerged that El-Rufai could be arrested or invited by security agencies after returning from Cairo, Egypt.

He told the court that he had advised the former governor to honour any invitation from security authorities, stressing that he did not believe the matter was politically motivated.

According to Adeyanju, he listened to El-Rufai’s comments during the programme and later challenged some of the claims, describing some as inaccurate or incomplete.

He said he was later invited by the SSS and made a statement regarding the interview, confirming that El-Rufai claimed someone had intercepted and shared information from phone calls.

Following an application by the prosecution, the court replayed the interview earlier admitted as evidence in the case.

After watching the recording, Adeyanju confirmed that it reflected what he witnessed during the February 13 programme.

The prosecution also tendered documents, including the subpoena inviting Adeyanju to testify, which was admitted as Exhibit G after the defence raised no objection.

A recording of Adeyanju’s own interview on the programme, along with a certificate of compliance, was also admitted by the court as Exhibits H and H1.

During cross-examination, defence counsel Paul Erokoro asked whether El-Rufai directly stated that he tapped a phone conversation.

Adeyanju responded that the former governor said, “We listened to their calls,” but added that he had no knowledge of how any alleged interception was carried out.

The witness maintained that he only appeared before the court because he was summoned, while Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until June 23 for continuation of trial.

The SSS had filed a five-count charge against El-Rufai in February over his claims during the Arise Television interview that he obtained information from an intercepted conversation involving Ribadu. El-Rufai pleaded not guilty on April 23 and was granted bail of N100 million.