The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 26, 2026, to rule on former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s no-case submission in the alleged phone-tapping case filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik reserved ruling after hearing arguments from El-Rufai’s defence team and the DSS on the application.
El-Rufai’s counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), urged the court to uphold the no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case requiring his client to enter a defence.
However, DSS counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the application and order El-Rufai to enter his defence.
Aladedoye argued that the defence had failed to adequately address Exhibit B, which the prosecution said contained an alleged admission by El-Rufai concerning the interception of telephone communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
The DSS had earlier called two witnesses, including a DSS operative and human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, who testified about statements allegedly made by El-Rufai during a television interview concerning the interception of telephone communications.
The court also viewed the televised interview in which El-Rufai was alleged to have said, “We listened to the conversations of the NSA.”
Adeyanju told the court that although he did not hear El-Rufai expressly say that he hacked Ribadu’s phone, he heard him make the statement about listening to the NSA’s conversations.
El-Rufai is facing an amended five-count charge over the alleged interception of Ribadu’s telephone communications and an alleged breach of national security. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The DSS closed its case in June after presenting witnesses and electronic evidence, including the recording of the television interview.
A prosecution witness also told the court that Ribadu had confirmed that the conversation referenced by El-Rufai had taken place.
El-Rufai remains on ₦100 million bail after the court rejected his request to vary the bail conditions.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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