Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has been re-arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Department of State Services, DSS, in connection with a case involving the tapping of the National Security Adviser, NSA, phone.
El-Rufai was brought to the court premises at about 8:55 am on Monday by heavily armed operatives of the secret police.
The security operatives were said to have cordoned off the surroundings of the court shortly after his arrival, causing tension among journalists, court workers and other members of the public who had come to the premises.
Following the arrival of the former governor, journalists, staff and other users of the court premises were reportedly prevented from entering the facility.
That the development led to a brief protest by some of those affected, who insisted that the court remained a public facility and should not be shut against citizens interested in observing proceedings.
Leading the protest, activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, faulted the action of the security operatives.
Sowore argued that no Nigerian should be denied access to the court without a lawful justification, especially when proceedings are taking place in a public institution.
He said the court should remain open to journalists and members of the public, except where there is a clear legal order restricting access.
Also Read: DSS arraigns El-Rufai on five-count fresh charges
A source at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, who spoke anonymously, said DSS operatives arrived at the anti-graft agency’s facility as early as 7:00 am to pick up the former governor for arraignment.
The source clarified that the matter was not being handled by the ICPC but by the DSS.
“Yes, the ongoing case in court is not our case. DSS operatives came to pick him here at about 7:00 am in order to arraign him in court,” the source said.
Security around the Federal High Court was tightened as the former governor was brought in for the proceedings.
The presence of the DSS operatives around the court premises drew attention from lawyers, litigants and other visitors, some of whom were delayed from gaining access to the facility.
El-Rufai’s latest appearance before the court comes amid the ongoing case concerning the alleged tapping of the phone of the National Security Adviser.
Further details of the charges and the court’s decision were still being awaited as of the time of filing this report.
NAIJA NEWS
