By Wellington Jopelo
Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been brought before a Federal High Court in Abuja following his arraignment by the Department of State Services over allegations tied to an intercepted phone conversation involving National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The prosecution told the court that the case has been strengthened with additional counts, raising the total number of charges against him from three to five.
The fresh charges signal a deeper legal push by the DSS as proceedings officially got underway on Thursday.
El-Rufai, who previously served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, is now expected to respond to the allegations as the trial progresses.
The development places the former governor at the centre of a high-profile legal battle involving issues of national security and alleged unlawful access to communication.
More details are expected to emerge as the court continues to hear the case.