ABUJA — The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned until October 26, 2026, to deliver its ruling on a no-case submission filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, in his ongoing trial over alleged unlawful wiretapping and security breaches.
Presiding Judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, fixed the ruling date on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, after listening to arguments from both defense and prosecution counsel regarding whether the Federal Government had established sufficient grounds to compel the defendant to enter his defense.
El-Rufai is facing an amended five-count charge brought by the Department of State Services (DSS), bordering on the alleged unauthorized interception of telephone communications involving National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, alongside associated breaches of national security regulations. The criminal charge stems from comments made by the former governor during a live television interview, where he allegedly disclosed details of intercepted private conversations referencing planned security operations.
The DSS formally closed its prosecution case after calling two key witnesses—a DSS operative and human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju—and tendering video recordings of the televised broadcast. During cross-examination, prosecution witnesses confirmed that while the referenced phone conversation between the NSA and third parties did occur, no direct forensic evidence was presented proving that El-Rufai personally executed a physical or digital hack on the device.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, defense counsel Paul Erokoro (SAN) filed a no-case submission, maintaining that the evidence presented by the government was insufficient, contradictory, and failed to establish a prima facie case against the former governor. Erokoro argued that the essential elements of the alleged statutory offenses had not been proven beyond reasonable doubt, urging the court to discharge and acquit his client without requiring him to testify.
In opposition, prosecuting counsel Oluwole Aladedoye urged the court to dismiss the defense’s application, contending that the electronic evidence and witness testimony presented constituted a sufficient legal basis to compel the defendant to explain his recorded statements.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the proceedings to October 26 for a final ruling on the no-case submission, while El-Rufai remains on his existing ₦100 million bail conditions.
