Amid the ongoing trial over the alleged interception of telephone communications involving National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 26, 2026, to rule on a no-case submission filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the date on Tuesday after lawyers representing El-Rufai and the Department of State Services, DSS, concluded their arguments on whether the former governor should be called upon to open his defence.
El-Rufai’s legal team is challenging the sufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence, arguing that the DSS has failed to establish a prima facie case requiring the former governor to defend himself.
The prosecution, however, is urging the court to dismiss the no-case submission, maintaining that the evidence presented so far provides sufficient grounds for the trial to continue.
The DSS is prosecuting El-Rufai on a five-count amended charge relating to the alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications involving Ribadu, alongside allegations bordering on national security. El-Rufai has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The prosecution closed its case in June after calling witnesses and presenting electronic evidence, including a recording of a television interview in which El-Rufai spoke about the alleged interception of a conversation involving the National Security Adviser.
A prosecution witness also testified about the conversation at the centre of the case, telling the court that Ribadu had confirmed that the conversation took place.
The ruling scheduled for October 26 will determine the next phase of the proceedings. Should the court find that the prosecution has established a case requiring an answer, El-Rufai will be called upon to open his defence.
However, if the no-case submission is upheld, the former governor could be discharged without being required to present a defence.
The case centres on allegations of unlawful interception of communications, with the prosecution relying on relevant provisions of Nigeria’s cybercrime and communications laws.
