A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a no-case submission brought forward by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, regarding an ongoing legal battle concerning the alleged unauthorized tapping of telephone conversations.
The court, in its ruling, held that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to warrant calling on the defendant to enter his defence. It consequently directed the former governor to open his defence next month.
Daily Trust reports that El-Rufai is standing trial on a five-count amended charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations that he unlawfully intercepted telephone conversations linked to Nuhu Ribadu.
In February 2026, during an interview on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme, El-Rufai said “someone wiretapped” Ribadu’s phone, enabling him to listen to the National Security Adviser (NSA) instructing security operatives to arrest him.
After presenting two witnesses against the former governor, the Federal Government closed its case, following which El-Rufai filed a no-case submission.
Moving the application on Monday, El-Rufai’s counsel, Paul Erokoro, urged the court to discharge and acquit the former governor of the five-count amended charge.
Erokoro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), argued that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case to warrant compelling El-Rufai to enter a defence to the charges.
Opposing the no-case submission, prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, urged the court to dismiss the application and order the defendant to open his defence.
Aladedoye argued that the oral and documentary evidence presented before the court was sufficient to require the defendant to answer the charges.
In a brief ruling after hearing arguments from both parties, the judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, ruled in favour of the prosecution and ordered El-Rufai to open his defence.
She subsequently adjourned the case until November 25 for El-Rufai to open his defence.
What You Should Know
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is facing a five-count charge brought by the Department of State Services (DSS) after he claimed on television that someone wiretapped National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu’s phone. With the court dismissing his attempt to throw out the case, he is now legally required to present his defense when the trial resumes.
- Positive Impact: Demonstrates the active role of the judiciary in holding high-profile political figures accountable and thoroughly probing allegations of security breaches.
- Potential Concerns: The ongoing legal battle could deepen political tensions and distract public focus from critical governance issues.
