The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday arraigned former Nasir El-Rufai before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a revised five-count charge linked to alleged breaches of national security.
El-Rufai was brought before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where he formally entered a not guilty plea to all charges read against him.
At the start of proceedings, prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, informed the court that the matter had been scheduled for the defendant’s plea. He further disclosed that a new amended charge, consisting of five counts, had been filed on April 13 and requested that it replace the earlier three-count charge.
“We pray that the earlier charge be struck out my lord,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the defence, counsel Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, confirmed that he had been served with the amended charge and raised no objection to the request. Based on this, the court struck out the initial charge and proceeded with the new one.
After the charges were read, El-Rufai pleaded not guilty, setting the stage for trial proceedings.
The prosecution subsequently requested that the trial commence with three consecutive hearing dates. However, this request was opposed by the defence, which argued that such an arrangement could complicate preparations.
Iyamu told the court that his client is currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), making access within a short trial window potentially difficult.
He further noted that proceeding with three consecutive days might not serve the defence’s best interest and reminded the court of an earlier bail application filed on February 17.
During the hearing, it was observed that a further affidavit in support of the bail request was not yet in the court file. As a result, Justice Abdulmalik temporarily stood down the matter to allow the defence to address the filing and complete the necessary documentation.
The case is expected to resume once the outstanding issues are resolved.
