A human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, on Monday testified in the ongoing trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who is standing trial over alleged breach of national security.
Adeyanju appeared as the second prosecution witness (PW-2) before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and was led in evidence by DSS counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN.
The case was instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS) against El-Rufai over comments he allegedly made during a television interview, in which he claimed he intercepted a telephone conversation involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and suggested it contained instructions for his arrest.
El-Rufai had linked the alleged directive to an incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12, shortly after returning from Cairo, Egypt.
Court proceedings
When the matter was called, Adeyanju presented the subpoena through which he was summoned to testify. The prosecution applied to tender the document, and it was admitted without objection from defence counsel, Paul Erokoro, SAN, and marked as Exhibit G.
Adeyanju told the court that on February 12, reports circulated suggesting El-Rufai might be arrested or invited by security agencies. He said he had earlier urged the former governor to submit himself for investigation, insisting the matter was not politically driven.
He added that he appeared on a live programme on Arise Television the following day, the same broadcast during which El-Rufai also granted an interview central to the charges.
Adeyanju told the court he directly engaged El-Rufai’s comments during the programme, describing several of his claims as inaccurate or misleading.
Video evidence and exhibits
At the prosecution’s request, the court replayed the televised interview previously tendered through PW-1. Adeyanju confirmed that the recording reflected what transpired on air.
The prosecution also tendered a flash drive containing Adeyanju’s own interview with anchor Charles Aniagolu, along with a certificate of compliance. The court admitted both as Exhibits H and H1, following no objection from the defence. The video was subsequently played in open court.
In the recording, Adeyanju argued that if security agencies had intended to arrest El-Rufai, they would have done so at the airport. He also referenced ongoing corruption allegations and said any investigation should precede prosecution to allow due process.
He further criticised El-Rufai’s human rights record while in office, describing alleged past actions as oppressive and stating that accountability should apply uniformly regardless of political status.
DSS statement and cross-examination
Under further examination, Adeyanju told the court that he was later invited by the DSS and “reluctantly” made a statement. He confirmed his written statement when it was shown to him in court and it was admitted as Exhibit E.
During cross-examination, defence counsel Paul Erokoro, SAN, challenged his interpretation of El-Rufai’s remarks, particularly whether the former governor had explicitly said a phone call was “tapped.”
Adeyanju maintained that El-Rufai had stated they “listened to calls,” while the defence argued that hearing a conversation on speakerphone does not amount to interception.
The prosecution objected to portions of the questioning, but the defence relied on relevant provisions of the Evidence Act, insisting the line of questioning was necessary for clarification.
Adeyanju maintained he had no personal knowledge of how any alleged interception occurred and said he was only present because he was subpoenaed.
Adjournment
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until June 23 for continuation of trial.
