A DSS digital forensics examiner has told a Kaduna court that an audio recording allegedly captured discussions about $500,000 for EFCC officials and $100,000 for an intermediary to stop investigations into companies. El-Rufai’s lawyer challenged the admission of the forensic report, but the judge overruled the objection.
A senior operative of the Department of State Services (DSS) has alleged that $600,000 was discussed in connection with an attempt to stop an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigation into certain companies during the ongoing corruption trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The allegation was made on Tuesday by Segun Kayode, a DSS operative and digital forensics examiner, while testifying before the Kaduna State High Court presided over by Justice Darius Khobo.
According to the witness, an audio recording examined during the investigation allegedly contained discussions about setting aside $500,000 for EFCC officials and another $100,000 for an intermediary to halt investigations.
The allegation formed part of Kayode’s testimony on the forensic examination of telephone records and audio recordings obtained during investigations following a formal request from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The claims have not been established as findings of the court, and the defence has challenged aspects of the prosecution’s evidence.
DSS WITNESS DETAILS FORENSIC INVESTIGATION
Testifying before the court, Kayode explained that his team analysed telephone call records associated with El-Rufai and several individuals allegedly connected to him, including Jimi Lawal, AU Mustafa, Ahmadu Sule and Sam Darwish.
He said the investigation followed approval by the DSS Director-General, after which the Director of Counter-Terrorism directed his team to conduct the forensic analysis.
According to him, he obtained call data records from the department’s telecommunications intelligence unit through a secure server, following established procedures for preserving electronic evidence.
Kayode said he used information technology tools to establish communication links between El-Rufai and the other individuals, while Microsoft Excel worksheets helped his team analyse the frequency of their communications.
He told the court that his analysis revealed repeated communications involving El-Rufai, his elder brother, Bashir El-Rufai, and Sam Darwish between October 25 and 28, 2025.
The findings, he said, prompted further examination of audio recordings obtained from the DSS communication intelligence unit.
WITNESS EXPLAINS AUDIO AUTHENTICATION PROCESS
Kayode told the court that he created an image of the original audio recording and produced four duplicate copies while securing the original to preserve the integrity of the evidence.
He said a Hausa-language expert identified as Aliyu Mainasara was engaged to transcribe the recording and translate it into English.
The witness further explained that the audio underwent forensic examination using specialised tools to assess its acoustic characteristics and determine whether it originated from a natural recording environment or had been artificially generated.
According to him, the analysis detected vocal frequency characteristics and a 50Hz electrical hum, including its harmonics, which he said were consistent with audio originating from a natural environment rather than AI-synthesised audio.
He added that biometric voice analysis indicated that the recording was a telephone conversation between El-Rufai and his elder brother, Bashir.
ALLEGED PLOT TO HALT INVESTIGATIONS
On the contents of the recording, Kayode alleged that El-Rufai directed AU Mustafa and Jimi Lawal to meet Ahmadu Sule to obtain a template previously used in the liquidation of Olam, for possible application in liquidating a company identified as Singularity.
The witness further alleged that the conversation contained discussions about stopping an ongoing EFCC investigation into Singularity and liquidating the company in Nigeria and Mauritius.
He also said the recording referred to an investigation by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) in Mauritius.
Kayode further alleged that the conversation 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 most significant allegation concerned the purported $600,000 arrangement.
According to the witness, the recording allegedly referred to $500,000 set aside for EFCC officials and another $100,000 for an intermediary to stop the investigations.
The testimony represents the witness’s account of the recording’s contents. The allegations remain subject to judicial examination and have not been proven in court.
EL-RUFAI’S LAWYER CHALLENGES FORENSIC EVIDENCE
During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s counsel, Paul Erokoro, SAN, objected to the witness’s testimony and the tendering of the forensic investigative report.
Erokoro argued that the defence had not received adequate advance notice of the evidence before the witness appeared in court.
He maintained that although Kayode had been subpoenaed to testify, the prosecution was still required to provide the defence with the proposed evidence to allow it to prepare adequately for cross-examination.
The defence counsel also questioned the procedure for introducing the report without additional proof of evidence or the appropriate filing, describing the move as an ambush.
He argued that admitting the document under those circumstances would violate the defendant’s fundamental rights.
Erokoro further maintained that the DSS should not receive special treatment simply because it is a government agency, noting that both the DSS and ICPC operate under the Federal Government.
COURT OVERRULES DEFENCE OBJECTION
Responding to the objection, prosecution counsel for the Federal Government, Ayodeji Adedipe, argued that the defence’s position lacked legal basis.
Adedipe described the objection as an afterthought, insisting that the issue had already been addressed by the court in earlier proceedings, including the question of whether evidence from a subpoenaed witness must be listed in the proof of evidence.
Justice Khobo subsequently overruled the defence’s objection, allowing Kayode to continue his testimony.
The judge said the defence could apply through the court’s registry to obtain a copy of the evidence and a certified true copy of the document.
The prosecution informed the court that it had two witnesses, with one present to testify.
SECURITY TIGHT AS EL-RUFAI APPEARS IN COURT
El-Rufai arrived at the Kaduna State High Court for the resumed hearing accompanied by Isa Ashiru, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Kaduna State.
Security was reportedly tight around the court premises ahead of the proceedings.
The trial concerns corruption and money-laundering charges filed against the former governor by the ICPC.
Proceedings lasted approximately nine hours before the court adjourned the case until November 30 and December 1, 2026.
The allegations presented by the DSS witness remain subject to the court’s consideration, while the defence retains the opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s evidence as the trial continues.
