The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned Nasir el-Rufai over allegations that he unlawfully accessed a phone conversation involving Nuhu Ribadu.
El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is facing a five-count amended charge before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
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At the start of proceedings on Thursday, the prosecution informed the court that the charges had been expanded from three to five counts. Consequently, the presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, struck out the earlier charges.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all five counts.
Following his plea, counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladeloye, requested that the court fix dates for trial. However, defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, opposed the request, stating that he needed time to consult with his client, who had been in the custody of several security agencies.
Iyamu also clarified that he was not responsible for inviting media personnel to the court.
In response, the judge temporarily stood down the case to allow for the resolution of issues relating to a further affidavit.
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