He said ‘We listened to their calls’ – Deji Adeyanju’s testimony at El-Rufai’s trial

Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju on Monday testified before the Federal High Court in Abuja in the ongoing trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who is facing charges bordering on alleged breach of national security.

Adeyanju appeared as the second prosecution witness before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, following a subpoena issued by the court.

The Department of State Security (DSS) had instituted the case against El-Rufai over comments he made during a television interview, in which he alleged that he intercepted a telephone conversation involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

According to El-Rufai, the alleged conversation contained directives to security operatives to arrest him following his return from Cairo, Egypt, on February 12.

During proceedings, prosecution counsel Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, tendered the subpoena issued to Adeyanju, which was admitted by the court as Exhibit G without objection from the defence.

While giving evidence, Adeyanju told the court that reports had circulated on February 12 suggesting that El-Rufai could either be arrested or invited for questioning by security agencies.

He recalled appearing on an Arise Television programme on February 13, shortly after El-Rufai had been interviewed on the same platform.

“I went to Arise, and El-Rufai was also on the show. 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 told the court.

At the prosecution’s request, the court replayed the television interview earlier admitted as evidence during the testimony of the first prosecution witness.

Adeyanju confirmed that the recording accurately reflected what transpired during the broadcast.

The prosecution also tendered a flash drive containing Adeyanju’s interview alongside a certificate of compliance. Both were admitted as Exhibits H and H1.

In the recorded interview played in court, Adeyanju dismissed claims that security agencies intended to arrest El-Rufai at the airport.

“If they wanted to arrest him, they would have done so at the airport,” he said in the interview.

He further maintained that El-Rufai’s appearance on a security watch list explained why operatives met him upon arrival.

“So once your name is there, the first thing is to confiscate the passport,” he stated.

Adeyanju also argued that allegations of persecution against the former governor should be viewed against actions taken during El-Rufai’s tenure as governor.

“The oppressor of yesterday cannot suddenly become the hero of today,” he said, while referencing the demolition of properties allegedly belonging to political opponents during El-Rufai’s administration.

According to him, El-Rufai should be investigated for alleged corruption before any prosecution is initiated.

During cross-examination, defence counsel Paul Erokoro, SAN, questioned whether Adeyanju heard El-Rufai explicitly state that he tapped any telephone conversation.

Responding, Adeyanju said, “El-Rufai said, ‘We listened to their calls.'”

He added that if someone claimed a phone conversation had been hacked, he would report such information because he lacked knowledge of how the alleged hacking occurred.

Adeyanju further told the court that he only appeared to testify because he was summoned and had no option but to comply.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the case until June 23 for continuation of trial proceedings.