The Department of State Services (DSS)has accused the family of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai of attempting to sway public opinion against the judiciary during his ongoing trial.
Speaking before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja, DSS legal counsel Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, claimed that El-Rufai’s relatives repeatedly used social media and press engagements to paint the prosecution and security agencies as targeting the former governor.
Aladedoye highlighted an incident on May 15, when one of El-Rufai’s wives reportedly arrived at the **Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)** with journalists, livestreaming and alleging that her husband was being denied food and restricted from seeing family members.
The DSS lawyer added that a prominent politician amplified these claims, prompting authorities to transfer El-Rufai to DSS custody to prevent escalation. He noted that family members, including two wives and a son, went to the DSS headquarters with media personnel to publicly challenge the court’s bail conditions.
“The family chose media campaigns over legal avenues, risking erosion of public confidence in the judiciary,” Aladedoye told the court, urging caution.
Defence counsel E.E. Ekere responded that El-Rufai should not be held accountable for statements made outside court. He added that the family and supporters would be advised to exercise restraint in public commentary.
Justice Abdulmalik emphasized that social media narratives have no bearing on courtroom proceedings, directing that the trial proceed uninterrupted.
During the session, the prosecution called its first witness and tendered a silver flash drive containing an interview with El-Rufai, admitted as Exhibit B along with a Certificate of Compliance (Exhibit B1). The judge ordered the video recording to be played in open court.
El-Rufai, who was arraigned on April 23, is facing charges for allegedly intercepting telephone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu. He pleaded not guilty to the five-count further amended charge.
The case continues amid strict adherence to legal protocol and courtroom procedure.
