ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju on Monday testified as a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, who faces charges of alleged breach of national security.
Adeyanju appeared before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, led in evidence by Department of State Services (DSS) counsel Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN. The DSS filed the case after El-Rufai claimed during a television interview that he had intercepted a phone conversation involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, allegedly directing security operatives to arrest him.
The former governor linked the alleged directive to an incident at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Feb. 12, following his return from Cairo, Egypt.
Adeyanju, testifying as the second prosecution witness, presented the subpoena summoning him to court. The document was admitted into evidence without objection from El-Rufai’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro, SAN.
He recalled that reports circulated on Feb. 12 suggesting El-Rufai might be arrested or invited by security agencies. Adeyanju said he had publicly urged the former governor to cooperate with investigators, insisting the matter was not politically motivated.
The lawyer told the court that he appeared on Arise TV on Feb. 13, the same day El-Rufai gave the interview that led to the charges. “My segment came after his. During his interview, I listened to him speak on many issues, and I countered many of the things he said because they were not true or were half-truths,” Adeyanju testified.
The court replayed El-Rufai’s interview, previously admitted during the testimony of the first prosecution witness. Adeyanju confirmed the recording reflected what he witnessed on Feb. 13.
Prosecutors also tendered Adeyanju’s own interview with anchor Charles Aniagolu, along with a certificate of compliance. The court admitted the flash drive and certificate as exhibits, and the video was played in open court.
In the recording, Adeyanju was asked whether he believed the government intended to arrest El-Rufai. His responses, now part of the evidence, are expected to play a role in the prosecution’s case.
The trial has drawn national attention, given El-Rufai’s prominence as a former governor and outspoken political figure. Analysts say the proceedings highlight tensions between political speech and national security in Nigeria, raising questions about the limits of public commentary on sensitive matters.
The case continues before Justice Abdulmalik, with further witnesses expected to testify in the coming days.
