A prosecution witness in the trial of former Kaduna governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has told a federal high court in Abuja that the national security adviser (NSA) confirmed the authenticity of a conversation referenced by the defendant during a television interview.
Testifying before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on Tuesday, the witness said el-Rufai had, during a 43-minute interview, claimed that a private conversation involving the NSA was intercepted and forwarded to him.
According to the witness, investigators later questioned the NSA, who verbally confirmed that the conversation took place between him and the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The ICPC chairman also reportedly confirmed the exchange after excerpts of the interview were played to him.
The court heard that the television anchor, Charles Aniagolu; activist-lawyer, Deji Adeyanju; and the cameraman, Ugochukwu Agalayana, were all interviewed during the investigation.
Aniagolu confirmed that el-Rufai stated in the interview that the NSA’s conversation had been intercepted and passed to him. The former governor also defended such interception, arguing that governments routinely monitor communications.
Statements from Aniagolu and Adeyanju were admitted as exhibits, alongside Agalayana’s statement, in which he confirmed setting up the recording equipment but said he did not follow the discussion.
The prosecution witness described el-Rufai’s remarks as an “open confession” and said investigators concluded that the alleged act could undermine national security, recommending prosecution. A preliminary report was also admitted in evidence.
Under cross-examination, the witness admitted that investigators did not examine any of the NSA’s devices, obtain IP data, or conduct forensic analysis related to the alleged interception. He said such steps were deemed unnecessary after the NSA confirmed the conversation.
He also acknowledged that el-Rufai did not claim he personally intercepted the communication but maintained that the former governor repeatedly insisted it had been tapped and sent to him.
When asked if el-Rufai might have exaggerated during a politically charged interview, the witness said he considered him “a person of integrity” and believed his statements.
The court adjourned further hearing to June 22 and 23.