A witness has confirmed that the former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai wiretapped the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

At the resumption of the trial on Monday, a witness of the Department of State Services, DSS, Deji Adeyanju told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he appeared for an interview program on Arise News on February 16, the same day El-Rufai made the confession on the same television channel. ‎‎

Adeyanju, the second witness to appear for the prosecution during the trial, told the Court that the former governor admitted during the television interview that ‘we listened to the conversations of the NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, Adeyanju confirmed that he knew El-Rufai as a former governor of Kaduna State and recalled issuing a public statement after reports emerged that the former governor was to be arrested by security operatives.‎‎

The prosecution tendered the subpoena used to summon Adeyanju, which was admitted and marked as Exhibit G. ‎‎

The Arise News interview was watched in open court. The prosecution subsequently tendered Adeyanju’s own interview contained in a flash drive alongside a certificate of compliance.

Both were admitted in evidence as Exhibits. ‎

Adeyanju told the court that he was invited by the Department of State Services, DSS, where he was asked to recount what transpired at the television studio.‎‎

Adeyanju confirmed to investigators that he was present when El-Rufai made the statements on air and that when further questioned during the interview, the former governor stated that someone carried out the phone tapping and passed the information to him.

‎‎Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Paul Erokoro, Adeyanju stated that while he did not hear El-Rufai specifically say he hacked the phone lines of the National Security Adviser, NSA, he heard him say, ‘we listened to the conversations of the NSA.

‘‎‎When asked whether he knew the means through which the NSA makes calls, and if he would be surprised to learn that DSS investigators did not ask the NSA which of his devices was allegedly compromised, he replied that those were not his business.‎‎

The matter was adjourned until June 23 for continuation of trial.‎‎

The DSS had filed a charge against El-Rufai over his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu.

‎‎In the three-count charges, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 was filed early before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the secret police accused the former governor of breaching the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act, (2024), and the Nigerian Communications Act (2003.)

The matter was adjourned until June 23 for continuation of trial.‎‎

‎‎Counts in the charge reads:

‎‎*That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, on 13th February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did admit during the interview that you and your cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.

‎‎*That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, on 13t February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did state during the interview that you know and relate with certain individual, who unlawfully intercepted the Phone Communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, without reporting the said individual to relevant Security agencies and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27 (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.‎‎

*That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, and other still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, with others still at large did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety, national security and instilling reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to which you admitted during an interview on 13th February, 2026, on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has abolished admissions into affiliated degree programmes offered by Colleges of Education across Nigeria, making the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) the only admission pathway into the institutions from the 2026/2027 academic session.

The decision was announced in JAMB’s newly released NCE/ND Agric Registration Guidelines issued by the Office of the Registrar.

Under the new policy, admissions into university degree programmes run through affiliations between Colleges of Education and conventional universities will no longer be permitted, and directed that no fresh admissions should be conducted into either 100-level or 200-level degree programmes in Colleges of Education.

According to the Board, all new entrants must now be admitted through the NCE programme, reinforcing its role as the foundational qualification for teacher education in Nigeria.

To accommodate candidates already affected by the change, JAMB provided several options. Direct Entry applicants who selected affiliated degree programmes may switch institutions free of charge, transfer to the parent university overseeing the degree programme, or have their second-choice institution upgraded to first choice for admission consideration.

Similarly, UTME candidates seeking admission into affiliated degree programmes in Colleges of Education may either change institutions, elevate their second-choice institution to first choice, or migrate to the NCE programme.

Candidates opting for the NCE route will be required to obtain an O’Level verification code and pay a registration fee of ₦700 through the JAMB portal.

The Board further stated that candidates admitted into NCE programmes will have any ongoing UTME or Direct Entry admission processes suspended, as it urged Colleges of Education, accredited CBT centres, Professional Registration Centres and its officials nationwide to study the new guidelines and ensure strict compliance with the policy, which marks the end of affiliated degree admissions in Colleges of Education.

The Life After Abuse Foundation (LAAF) has honoured Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu., Ohi Odiai, Deputy Director of News at ARISE News,, health influencer Dr Chinonso Fidelis, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, and 39 other fathers, leaders and advocates for their contributions to advancing men’s mental health and wellbeing.

The awards were announced as part of LAAF’s Father’s Week appreciation initiative. The recognition celebrates 42 “fathers, leaders, and global allies” who have used their platforms to champion emotional well-being, healthy masculinity, family values, and social transformation.

LAAF, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free psychosocial support, counseling, and advocacy for boys and men affected by abuse and trauma, emphasized the honorees’ role in breaking the silence around male victimization.

“These men have shown up for our work in ways that go far beyond a title,” said Halima Layeni, Executive Director and Founder of LAAF. “Their belief in this mission, and their willingness to stand publicly for boys and men who have suffered in silence, is the reason we have been able to grow our reach and impact. We honor them not just as supporters, but as fathers in every sense of the word.”

Prominent Honorees

The list of honorees spans governance, mental health, media, law, faith, and international advocacy:

• Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State leads the Nigerian honorees.
• Other state figures include Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende (Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development) and Hon. Abiodun Orekoya (Lagos State House of Assembly).
• Faith and community leaders: Late Pastor Taiwo Odukoya (Founding Senior Pastor, The Fountain of Life Church) and Oba Sulaiman Owolabi (Olu of Iwaya).
• Health and media professionals: Dr. Chinonso Fidelis (Aproko Doctor), Dr. Tolu Ajomale, Prof. Fatai Adesina Badru, Joshua Morakinyo, Ohi Odiah, and Mayowa Adeniran.
• International allies: Mark Brooks OBE (UK Senior Policy Adviser on Men’s Health), Larry DeMarco (International Council for Men and Boys), Tony Nikolic (Australian civil rights solicitor), Sivam Valeutham (Malaysia), and Will Baptiste (USA).

Additional honorees include grassroots advocates, psychologists, family strategists, business leaders, and policy influencers such as Solomon Dalung, Taiwo Akinlami, Jide Ogunleye, and many others.

LAAF stressed that sustainable progress in abuse prevention and mental health requires collective action. The foundation noted that by stepping forward, these honorees demonstrate the importance of male participation in creating safer homes, resilient families, and healthier communities. They also reinforced the message that seeking help is a sign of strength.

The initiative aligns with LAAF’s broader mission to advance health equity, challenge stigma, and create safe spaces for men and boys to heal and thrive.

” LAAF, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free psychosocial support, counseling, and advocacy for boys and men affected by abuse and trauma, emphasized the honorees’ role in breaking the silence around male victimization.”