COURT FIXES OCTOBER 26 TO RULE ON EL-RUFAI’S NO-CASE SUBMISSION

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 26, 2026, to rule on the no-case submission filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in his ongoing trial over alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications.  

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter after counsel for both the defence and the Department of State Services (DSS) adopted their respective positions on the application.

El-Rufai’s defence urged the court to uphold the no-case submission and discharge him, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case requiring him to enter a defence.

The prosecution, however, urged the court to dismiss the application and order the former governor to open his defence. Prosecuting counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, argued that the defence had not adequately addressed Exhibit B, which the prosecution described as an alleged admission relating to the interception of communications involving National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.  

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 has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The DSS previously closed its case after presenting two witnesses and electronic evidence.  

The court will now determine on October 26 whether the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence for El-Rufai to be called upon to enter his defence.