The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday escalated its case against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, arraigning him on a fresh five-count amended charge bordering on alleged threats to national security.
Brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, El-Rufai firmly denied all allegations, entering a not guilty plea as the charges were read in court.
The prosecution, led by senior advocate Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, informed the court that a revised charge filed on April 13 had replaced an earlier three-count charge, signalling a recalibration of the case against the former governor. With no objection from the defence, the court struck out the initial charge and proceeded with the amended counts.
But the legal fireworks quickly shifted to trial logistics.
While the DSS pushed for three consecutive hearing dates to fast-track proceedings, the defence pushed back, warning that such a schedule could undermine fair access to the defendant.
Counsel to El-Rufai, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, told the court that his client’s custody situation — currently involving the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission — could complicate consistent legal consultation within such a tight trial window.
He also flagged a pending bail application filed in February, noting that a supporting affidavit had yet to be properly entered into the court record.
Faced with the procedural snag, Justice Abdulmalik briefly stood down the case to allow the defence regularise its filings, pausing what is shaping up to be a closely watched legal battle.
With the amended charges now in play and both sides already sparring over trial pace and access, the case sets the stage for a high-stakes courtroom contest — one that could test both prosecutorial urgency and the limits of due process.