A prosecution witness has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the National Security Adviser (NSA) confirmed the authenticity of a conversation referenced by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, during a television interview that forms part of an ongoing treason-related trial.
The witness testified before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, stating that the NSA acknowledged the conversation allegedly mentioned by el-Rufai was genuine and occurred between him and the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to the testimony, investigators also interviewed the ICPC chairman, who confirmed having the conversation after excerpts of the broadcast were played to him.
During proceedings, the court viewed a 43-minute television interview in which el-Rufai allegedly claimed that a private conversation involving the NSA had been intercepted and forwarded to him.
The witness said the investigation team also questioned the television anchor, Charles Aniagolu; activist-lawyer Deji Adeyanju; and cameraman Ugochukwu Agalayana, all of whom were involved in the interview process.
Aniagolu reportedly confirmed that el-Rufai stated during the interview that the NSA’s conversation had been intercepted and shared with him. The witness added that el-Rufai also argued during the broadcast that government surveillance of communications was not unusual.
Statements from Aniagolu and Adeyanju were admitted in evidence without objection, while the cameraman’s statement was also tendered after he confirmed handling the recording setup.
The prosecution said el-Rufai’s remarks during the interview amounted to an “open confession” regarding interception of the conversation, which it argued posed risks to national security.
However, under cross-examination, the defence noted that investigators did not conduct forensic analysis of devices, IP tracing, or technical verification of interception claims.
The witness maintained that such steps were unnecessary because the NSA had already confirmed the authenticity of the conversation referenced.
The court adjourned the case to June 22 and 23 for continuation of hearing.
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