The Department of State Services (DSS) has formally arraigned the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, on a revised charge sheet comprising five counts that allege a breach of national security.
El-Rufai appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he entered a plea of not guilty to all charges presented.
When the case was called, the DSS's counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court of the scheduled arraignment for the defendant to enter his plea.
Aladedoye further advised the court that an amended five-count charge had been filed on April 13, requesting its substitution for the initial three-count charge.
Oluwole Iyamu, representing El-Rufai, confirmed receipt of the amended charge and did not object to the prosecution's motion.
The presiding judge then proceeded to strike out the original three-count charge.
Following the reading of the amended counts, the former governor declared his innocence, prompting the prosecution to request three consecutive dates for the trial.
However, the defence team raised an objection to the proposed schedule for continuous trials, arguing that it would not be in their client's best interest, particularly given potential limitations in accessing him due to his detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Iyamu also brought to the court's attention a bail application that had been filed on February 17, noting that a supplementary affidavit supporting the application had initially been missing from the court's records.
The court paused proceedings to allow for the resolution of this matter, and upon resumption, the missing affidavit was located.
The DSS indicated that it did not oppose the bail application.
Subsequently, the prosecution submitted an application seeking an order to protect the identities of two witnesses who are expected to testify in the proceedings.
The prosecution requested that the names of these witnesses be withheld from public court documents and that pseudonyms be used throughout the trial.
The DSS justified this request by stating concerns that the witnesses' families could face potential risks from individuals supportive of the defendant.
The defence team contested this request, urging the court to reject it.
They argued that an accused person has a constitutional right to know their accusers and presented no evidence to suggest that El-Rufai posed any threat or commanded a cult-like following.
The defence further cautioned that granting such broad anonymity could unfairly prejudice the case against their client.
Additionally, the defence submitted an application requesting an order compelling the prosecution to provide them with proof of evidence to facilitate adequate trial preparation.
The prosecution opposed this request, contending that the materials being sought were not relevant to the filings already made in the case.
The defence also informed the court of a pending application to quash the charge, though legal arguments were made that such a motion cannot be filed after a plea has been entered.
In a written submission, the prosecution urged the court to dismiss the application to quash the charge, deeming it without merit.
The case has been adjourned to May 18 for the continuation of the hearing.
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