The Department of State Services (DSS) arraigned former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on a five-count amended charge related to alleged breach of national security. The arraignment took place on Thursday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja. DSS lawyer Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN) informed the court that the amended charge was filed on April 13 and requested the earlier three-count charge be struck out. El-Rufai's lawyer, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), confirmed receipt of the amended charge and did not oppose the substitution. The judge granted the application and the earlier charge was struck out. After the five counts were read, El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to each. Aladedoye applied for three consecutive trial dates, but Iyamu objected, citing difficulties in accessing his client within that timeframe due to El-Rufai's current detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Iyamu also mentioned a bail application filed on February 17, though the supporting affidavit was missing from the court file. The judge adjourned the matter for Iyamu to file the necessary document.
El-Rufai faces national security charges while already in ICPC custody over a separate matter, raising questions about the sequencing of state actions against a former governor. His legal team cited access challenges during a proposed three-day trial, yet the court has not resolved the outstanding bail application from February. The delay in processing the bail affidavit leaves El-Rufai in prolonged detention without trial dates set. Nigerians named in multiple legal cases by different agencies may face extended pre-trial custody even when procedures lag.
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