Connect with us

Crime

UPDATE: DSS Arraigns Nasir El-Rufai, Pleads Not Guilty to 5 Count Charges

Published

on

155 Views

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday arraigned former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on a newly amended five-count charge involving the alleged unlawful wiretapping of National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu.

Appearing before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja, El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all counts.

The charges allege violations of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, specifically regarding unauthorized interception of communications and compromising public safety.

The case originated from a February 13, 2026, interview on Arise News, where El-Rufai reportedly admitted to tapping the NSA’s phone lines. He claimed the surveillance revealed a plot by the DSS to arrest him at the Abuja airport following a trip to Cairo.

On March 2, the ICPC raided El-Rufai’s Abuja residence, reportedly recovering specialized wiretapping equipment and documents.

A major point of contention during the proceedings was the prosecution’s application to conceal the identities of two key witnesses.

The Prosecution argued that using pseudonyms is necessary to protect the witnesses and their families from potential attacks by El-Rufai’s sympathizers.

The Defence lead counsel Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, opposed the request, arguing it is a constitutional right for the accused to face his accusers. He noted there was no evidence that El-Rufai leads a “cult-like” following or poses any physical threat.

The defense team also moved to quash the charges entirely, though the prosecution urged the court to dismiss the application as meritless.

Furthermore, Iyamu objected to a request for three consecutive trial days, citing the difficulty of accessing his client. El-Rufai is currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on separate matters.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until May 18, 19, and 20, when the court will rule on the pending applications and begin the trial. If convicted, the former governor faces up to three years in prison.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime

BREAKING: Police Rescue Kidnapped Sister of Ex-minister Adelabu and Twin Sons

Published

on

52 Views

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have successfully rescued Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, alive following a swift late-night operation on Saturday, June 6, 2026.

The rescue took place around 7:30 p.m. as police engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, neutralising two suspected members of the syndicate and recovering two firearms.

The victims were abducted on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, around 7:30 a.m. while on their way to drop the children at school. Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul is the younger sister of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.

According to police sources, sustained intelligence tracking and tactical pressure on the kidnappers forced them into a confrontation with security operatives, leading to the successful rescue of all three victims unharmed.

Security forces have launched a manhunt and are currently combing surrounding areas for other fleeing members of the kidnapping gang, some of whom are believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire.

Continue Reading

Crime

FCT Police Foil Midnight Kidnapping, Arrest Viral AK-47 Bandits

Published

on

67 Views

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has recorded significant successes in its ongoing fight against crime, foiling a midnight kidnapping attempt in Byazhin and arresting several high-profile suspects, including bandits who recently flaunted AK-47 rifles on social media.

Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit stormed a residential area near Paze Hills in Byazhin in the early hours of Thursday and disrupted armed men attempting to break into a building to abduct its occupants. A couple was rescued unharmed during the operation.

The victims expressed relief at the timely intervention by the police.

In a related development, the police arrested three suspected bandits who gained notoriety after appearing in viral social media videos brandishing AK-47 rifles while dressed in military camouflage. The suspects were tracked and apprehended in Runji village, Zuba. Items recovered from them include one AK-47 rifle, eight mobile phones, two jackknives, power banks, and several incriminating photographs and videos.

FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, who paraded the suspects before journalists, vowed continued aggressive action against criminal elements.

The Command also presented a suspect and his girlfriend over the alleged kidnapping and murder of 22-year-old Emmanuel Chukwuemeka. Police investigations revealed that the suspect lured the victim to a mountainous area in Lokogoma over a dispute involving fraudulent proceeds before allegedly killing him.

In another operation, security operatives arrested a wanted suspect linked to the supply of ammunition to bandits, terrorists, and kidnapping gangs operating in the North Central region and the FCT. Arms and ammunition were recovered during the operation.

Additionally, two suspected “one-chance” robbers were arrested after they allegedly attacked a female commuter along the Giri-Lugbe road.

The CP used the occasion to dismiss social media reports of a recent kidnapping at a school in Gbagalape, describing the claims as false and misleading.

Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command has begun strict enforcement against vehicles with unauthorised tinted glasses across the territory.

The breakthroughs come despite the rainy weather as officers continue to intensify patrols and intelligence-led operations to make the nation’s capital safer.

Continue Reading

Crime

BREAKING: Gunmen Invade Ondo Community, Injure Several Residents, Abduct Pastor’s 9-Year-Old Son

Published

on

62 Views

Armed gunmen stormed a community in Ondo State on Friday, shooting indiscriminately, injuring multiple residents, and abducting the 9-year-old son of a local pastor before fleeing into the bush.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos as the attackers invaded the area in the early hours, firing sporadically at residents. Several people sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. The motive behind the invasion remains unclear, though sources suggest it may be linked to ongoing security challenges in parts of the state.

The most distressing aspect of the attack was the abduction of the young boy, identified as the son of a prominent pastor in the community. Family members and residents are said to be in shock, with the pastor appealing for the immediate and safe release of his child.

Security operatives have been deployed to the area to track down the gunmen and rescue the abducted child. A manhunt is currently underway, with local vigilantes and police collaborating in the search.

This incident adds to the growing concerns over kidnapping and violent crime in Ondo State and surrounding regions. Community leaders have called on the government to intensify security measures to protect vulnerable residents, especially children.

More updates will follow as the situation develops.

Continue Reading

Trending