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By Ayorinde Oluokun
A senior operative of Department of State Services (DSS) identified as Segun Kayode has told a Kaduna State High Court that $600,000 was allegedly set aside to stop investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into companies linked to former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Kayode, made the allegation on Tuesday while testifying in the corruption trial of the former governor before Justice Darius Khobo.
The witness who was described as a digital forensics examiner, told the court that $500,000 was allegedly earmarked for EFCC officials, while another $100,000 was intended for an intermediary to facilitate the termination of the investigations.
The DSS operative said this was discovered from audio recordings examined by his team following a formal request from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) during a court proceeding that lasted approximately nine hours on Tuesday.
He told the court that his team analysed call data records and audio recordings involving selected telephone numbers linked to El-Rufai and some of his suspected associates, including Jimi Lawal, AU Mustafa, Ahmadu Sule and Sam Darwish.
The witness said the exercise was approved by the Director-General of the DSS, after which the Director of Counter-Terrorism directed his team to conduct the analysis.
Kayode further explained that he obtained the relevant call data records from the DSS telecommunications intelligence unit through a secure server, in accordance with procedures for reserving electronic evidence.
Using information technology tools and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, the team examined communication patterns and relationships among the individuals under investigation.
The DSS operative said the analysis revealed repeated communications between El-Rufai, his elder brother, Bashir El-Rufai, and Sam Darwish between October 25 and 28, 2025. The findings, he added, prompted further examination of audio recordings obtained from the DSS communication intelligence unit.
He told the court that he created an image of the original audio recording and produced four duplicate copies while keeping the original secured to preserve the integrity of the evidence.
The witness also informed the court that a Hausa-language expert, Aliyu Mainasara, subsequently transcribed the recording and translated its contents into English, according to the witness.
Kayode said forensic experts subjected the recording to technical examinations to determine its acoustic characteristics and assess whether it was a natural recording or artificially generated audio.
He told the court that the analysis identified vocal frequency characteristics and a 50Hz electrical hum, including its harmonics, which he said were consistent with a recording made in a natural environment rather than AI-synthesised audio.
The witness further said biometric voice analysis indicated that the recording contained a telephone conversation between El-Rufai and his elder brother, Bashir.
On the contents of the conversation, Kayode alleged that El-Rufai instructed AU Mustafa and Jimi Lawal to meet Ahmadu Sule to obtain a template previously used in the liquidation of Olam, for possible use in liquidating a company identified as Singularity.
He further alleged that the recording contained discussions about stopping an ongoing EFCC investigation into Singularity and liquidating the company in Nigeria and Mauritius.
According to him, the conversation also referenced an investigation by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) in Mauritius.
Kayode additionally alleged that the recording contained instructions for Sam Darwish, Jimi Lawal and AU Mustafa to prevent the EFCC from investigating IHS, which he said was listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
The witness said the alleged $600,000 arrangement was discussed in connection with efforts to halt the investigations, with $500,000 reportedly designated for EFCC officials and $100,000 for an intermediary.
He said his team subsequently completed a detailed forensic investigative report, which was tendered before the court.
Defence Challenges Evidence
Counsel to El-Rufai, Paul Erokoro, SAN, objected to the witness’s testimony and the tendering of the forensic report, arguing that the defence had not received adequate notice of the evidence before the witness appeared in court.
Erokoro maintained that the prosecution’s decision to subpoena the witness did not exempt it from providing the defence with the proposed evidence in advance.
He argued that the defendant was entitled to sufficient notice of the evidence against him to prepare for effective cross-examination.
The defence counsel also questioned the circumstances under which the report was introduced, arguing that it had been presented without adequate supporting evidence or the appropriate filing. He described the procedure as an ambush.
Erokoro further argued that admitting the report under those circumstances would violate his client’s fundamental rights. He maintained that the DSS, like the ICPC, is a federal government agency and should not receive special treatment in the prosecution of the case.
However, counsel to the Federal Government, Ayodeji Adedipe, dismissed the objection as unfounded and lacking a legal basis.
Adedipe described the objection as an afterthought, arguing that the court had already considered the issue in earlier proceedings, including whether evidence from a subpoenaed witness had to be listed in the proof of evidence.
Justice Khobo overruled the defence’s objection and permitted Kayode to continue his testimony.
The judge also said the defence could apply to the court registry for a copy of the evidence and obtain a certified true copy.
The prosecution informed the court that it had two witnesses, one of whom was present to testify.
Tight Security as Trial Continues
El-Rufai arrived at the court for the resumed hearing accompanied by Isa Ashiru, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kaduna State.
Security was tight around the court premises ahead of the proceedings.
The former governor is facing corruption and money-laundering charges filed by the ICPC.
The court adjourned the matter until November 30 and December 1, 2026, for further proceedings.
English (US) ·