Alleged Cybercrimes : Court Shifts El-Rufai’s Arraignment By DSS To April 23

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed April 23 for the arraignment of former Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai on cybercrimes and breach of Communication act brought against him by the Department of the State Service, DSS.

The bid by the DSS to arraign El-Rufai today could not hold due to his absence in the court.

El-Rufai who was to be docked for his plea of guilty or not guilty over his alleged complicity in cybercrimes and breach of Communications Act was not in court when the DSS case against him was called.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria Oluwole Aladedoye SAN, standing for the DSS informed the court that the former governor was still with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC for investigation on the issues.

He said that DSS has no control over the sister agency and requested an adjournment to March 23.

Although, counsel to El-Rufai, Mr Oluwole Iyamu did not oppose the adjournment he vehemently demanded for bail for the former governor.

He cited several authorities to back up the request for the bail.

The DSS lawyer however vehemently opposed the bail request on the ground that it was premature as the issue of bail can only be raised after the formal arraignment.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik after taking the arguments declined to grant the bail request but agreed that El-Rufai can only apply for bail after the arraignment.

Meanwhile, the Judge has fixed April 23 for the arraignment.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had filed the charge against El-Rufai over his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

In the three-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 filed early on Monday before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the secret police accused the former governor of breaching the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act, (2024), and the Nigerian Communications Act (2003.)

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namiji