The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed 26 October 2026, to deliver its ruling on a no-case submission filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, in the alleged wiretapping case instituted against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik reserved the ruling on Monday after hearing arguments from El-Rufai’s legal team and the DSS on whether the former governor should be called upon to open his defence.
El-Rufai’s lead counsel, Paul Erokoro, SAN, urged the court to uphold the no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to present sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against his client.
The defence contended that the evidence led by the prosecution was inadequate to warrant requiring El-Rufai to enter a defence to the charges.
However, counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, urged the court to reject the application and order the former governor to open his defence.
Aladedoye argued that the defence had failed to satisfactorily address Exhibit B, which the prosecution described as containing an alleged admission by El-Rufai concerning the interception of communications involving National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The DSS had earlier called two witnesses, including a DSS operative and human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, during the trial.
Adeyanju testified about comments allegedly made by El-Rufai during a television interview in which he spoke about listening to telephone conversations involving the NSA.
El-Rufai is facing an amended five-count charge over the alleged unlawful interception of communications. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
With the court reserving its ruling until October 26, the next stage of the proceedings will depend on whether the no-case submission is upheld or dismissed.
The allegations against El-Rufai remain unproven and are subject to determination by the court.
