May 19, (THEWILL) — Fresh controversy surrounded the ongoing trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday, after the Department of State Services (DSS) accused members of his family of allegedly orchestrating a media campaign to undermine the judiciary and influence public opinion over his detention and bail conditions.
The allegation was made before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, during the continuation of proceedings in the criminal case instituted against the former governor over alleged breaches of national security.
Counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, told the court that relatives of El-Rufai had repeatedly used social media engagements and press appearances to portray the prosecution and security agencies as persecuting the defendant.
According to the senior lawyer, one of the flashpoints occurred on May 15 when one of El-Rufai’s wives allegedly stormed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) facility with cameramen and commenced a livestream, accusing authorities of denying the former governor food and access to his family members.
Aladedoye further alleged that a prominent politician had also circulated claims suggesting that El-Rufai’s life could be endangered in custody, a development he said compelled security operatives to move the former governor into DSS custody to prevent further controversy.
The prosecution maintained that the situation escalated after the two wives of the defendant, alongside one of his sons, reportedly visited the DSS headquarters, accompanied by journalists and publicly criticised the bail conditions imposed by the court.
The DSS lawyer argued that instead of ventilating their grievances through legal procedures, members of the former governor’s family allegedly embarked on public campaigns capable of eroding confidence in the judiciary and the criminal justice system.
He consequently urged the court to caution El-Rufai, his family members and supporters against further public comments capable of undermining the integrity of the ongoing proceedings.
Aladedoye insisted that the matter before the court was strictly a criminal prosecution and should not be portrayed as political persecution.
Responding, defence counsel E. E. Ekere, told the court that he was unaware of the allegations raised by the prosecution against the former governor’s family. Ekere submitted that El-Rufai could not be held responsible for comments or actions taken by individuals outside the courtroom, including relatives and sympathisers.
The defence counsel, however, assured the court that members of the former governor’s family and supporters would be advised to exercise restraint while the matter remains before the court.
In her remarks, Justice Abdulmalik stated that she pays no attention to narratives circulating on social media regarding matters pending before her court.
The judge stressed that online commentary should remain outside courtroom proceedings and directed that the trial should continue uninterrupted.
Following the exchange between both parties, the prosecution called its first witness, identified simply as APC, to continue giving evidence before the court.
During the proceedings, Aladedoye tendered a silver flash drive and a certificate of compliance through the witness. The court admitted the items as Exhibits B and B1, respectively.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently directed that a video recording of an interview allegedly granted by El-Rufai, contained in the flash drive, be played in open court.
THEWILL reports that the former Kaduna governor is currently facing prosecution over alleged breaches of national security.
El-Rufai was arraigned on April 23 on a five-count further amended charge bordering on the alleged interception of telephone conversations linked to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
While El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all the charges, Justice Abdulmalik on Monday granted the former governor bail in the sum of ₦100 million, with one surety in like sum, while ordering him to report monthly to the headquarters of the DSS pending the determination of criminal charges filed against him.
However, the detention took a dramatic turn on Monday as members of his family accused DSS officials of intimidation, disregard for court orders and psychological harassment following an attempt to move him from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
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