The Department of State Services is currently arraigning Nasir El-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State, before the Federal High Court in Abuja in connection with an ongoing case involving the alleged tapping of the National Security Adviser’s (NSA) phone.
Around 8:55 a.m. on Monday, highly armed secret police officers brought El-Rufai to the courtroom.
Shortly after his arrival, the court’s surroundings were reportedly sealed off by security personnel, creating tension among journalists, court employees, and other visitors.
Journalists, employees, and other users of the court premises were allegedly barred from entering the building once the former governor arrived.
Some of those impacted reportedly staged a brief protest in response to the development, arguing that the court should continue to be open to the public and should not be closed to those who wish to watch proceedings.
Omoyele Sowore, an activist and former African Action Congress presidential candidate, led the demonstration and criticized the security personnel’s actions.
Sowore maintained that no Nigerian should be excluded from the courtroom without a valid reason, particularly when the proceedings are occurring in a public setting.
He stated that unless there is a clear judicial order limiting access, the court should continue to be accessible to journalists and members of the public.
DSS agents showed up at the anti-graft agency’s location as early as 7:00 am to pick up the former governor for arraignment, according to an unnamed source at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission.
The insider clarified that the DSS, not the ICPC, was handling the issue.
“Yes, we are not involved in the current court case. In order to arraign him in court, they (DSS agents) arrived to fetch him up here at around 7:00 am, according to the source.
The former governor was called in for the proceedings, and security was increased around the Federal High Court.
Attorneys, litigants, and other guests were drawn to the DSS officers’ presence on the court grounds, and some of them experienced delays in entering the building.
El-Rufai’s most recent court appearance coincides with the continuing legal dispute over the National Security Adviser’s alleged phone tapping.
As of the time this story was filed, more information about the charges and the court’s ruling were still pending.
Hon. Dr. Philip “Okanga” Agbese, a transformative leader in Enone. Discover his achievements, community projects, and vision for 2027
