A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday played a recorded television interview involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as the trial over alleged unlawful phone interception entered a new phase.
The proceedings featured testimony from lawyer and public affairs commentator Deji Adeyanju, who appeared as the second prosecution witness in the case filed by the State Security Service (SSS). Adeyanju told the court that the replayed interview reflected what he personally observed during the live television programme aired on February 13.
The charges stem from comments made by El-Rufai during the broadcast, where he discussed circumstances surrounding an alleged move by security authorities to arrest him following his return to Nigeria from Cairo. According to the prosecution, statements made during the interview formed the basis of allegations relating to illegal interception of communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
During testimony, Adeyanju recalled appearing on the same programme shortly after El-Rufai’s segment. He said he publicly challenged several claims made during the interview and maintained positions he expressed at the time. The prosecution later tendered recordings of both broadcasts, alongside supporting compliance documents, which were admitted by the court without objection from the defence.
Parts of Adeyanju’s recorded appearance were also played in court. In the interview, he questioned claims that authorities intended to arrest El-Rufai at the airport and argued that any allegations requiring investigation should follow legal procedures rather than political interpretation. He also expressed opinions on El-Rufai’s past record in office and stated that investigations should precede prosecution.
Under cross-examination, defence counsel questioned whether El-Rufai explicitly admitted to intercepting any communication during the interview. Adeyanju responded that his understanding came from statements suggesting information had been obtained from a monitored phone conversation, while acknowledging he had no personal knowledge of how any call was accessed.
The case remains one of the most closely watched legal disputes involving the former governor, whose political relationship with the current administration deteriorated after an unsuccessful ministerial nomination. The court adjourned proceedings until June 23 for continuation of trial.
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