THE Federal High Court in Abuja today admitted key evidence presented by the Department of State Services (DSS) in the ongoing trial of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who is facing allegations of phone tapping and breaches of national security.
During the proceedings, lawyer Deji Adeyanju, appearing as the second prosecution witness, told the court that El-Rufai had publicly stated during a television interview that “we listened to the conversation of the NSA.”
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Oluwole Aladedoye, Adeyanju said he became involved in the matter after issuing a public statement in response to reports that security agencies planned to arrest the former governor.
The prosecution tendered the subpoena used to summon Adeyanju to testify, which the court admitted as Exhibit G.
The court also reviewed footage of the television interview featuring El-Rufai. Following the viewing, Adeyanju confirmed both the authenticity of the recording and the statements attributed to the former governor.
In addition, the prosecution tendered a flash drive containing Adeyanju’s own interview, alongside a certificate of compliance. Both items were admitted as Exhibits H and H1.
While testifying, Adeyanju told the court that he was later invited by the DSS, where investigators asked him to recount events surrounding the television appearance.
He said he confirmed being present when El-Rufai allegedly made the remarks and recalled that, when questioned further during the interview, the former governor revealed that the information had been obtained by another individual and subsequently passed on to him.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel Paul Erokoro, Adeyanju clarified that he did not hear El-Rufai specifically admit to hacking the phone lines of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
He however, maintained that he heard the former governor say, “we listened to the conversation of the NSA.”
Responding to questions about the means through which the NSA communicates and whether investigators had established which device was allegedly compromised, Adeyanju stated that such matters were outside his knowledge and responsibility.
The prosecution also tendered an official gazette during the hearing.
With no objection from the defence, the court admitted the document as Exhibit I.
Justice presiding over the matter subsequently adjourned proceedings until June 23, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
