Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has pleaded not guilty to newly expanded charges filed against him by the Federal Government in an ongoing high-profile wiretapping case.
The ex-governor was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the prosecution introduced fresh allegations in an amended five-count charge, significantly widening the scope of the case. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Fresh Charges Raise Stakes
According to court filings, the new charges go beyond earlier claims of unlawful interception of communications. Prosecutors now accuse El-Rufai of interfering with critical national infrastructure and gaining unauthorized access to classified government information.
One of the key allegations involves the purported interception of communications linked to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, which authorities describe as part of the country’s protected information infrastructure.
The government also alleges that the former governor accessed sensitive details related to official security operations without authorization, escalating the matter into a broader national security concern.
Court Proceedings and Legal Battle
During the hearing, El-Rufai entered a “not guilty” plea to all counts after the court approved the substitution of the earlier three-count charge with the updated five-count version.
While the prosecution pushed for an accelerated trial with consecutive hearing dates, the defence raised concerns about adequate access to legal counsel due to his current custody status.
There were also heated arguments over the prosecution’s request to conceal the identities of key witnesses, a move strongly opposed by the defence on constitutional grounds.
Bail Setback and What’s Next
In a separate development, a Kaduna State High Court reportedly denied El-Rufai bail, citing the seriousness of the allegations and fears that he could interfere with ongoing investigations.
The court has adjourned the case to May 18, 19, and 20, 2026, for further hearing, as the legal battle surrounding the former governor continues to intensify.
Big Picture
This case marks one of the most significant legal challenges faced by a former Nigerian governor in recent times, especially given its national security implications. With additional charges now on the table, the trial is expected to draw even more political and public attention in the coming weeks.
