Wiretapping Trial: Court Orders El-Rufai To Enter Defence

A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday dismissed a no-case submission filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over the alleged unlawful interception of telephone conversations involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a ruling, held that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to require El-Rufai to enter his defence in the five-count amended charge filed against him by the Department of State Services.

The judge consequently ordered the former governor to open his defence and adjourned the case until November 25, 2026, for him to do so.

El-Rufai had filed the no-case submission after the Federal Government closed its case following the testimony of two prosecution witnesses.

Through his counsel, Paul Erokoro, the former governor urged the court to discharge and acquit him, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against him.

Erokoro maintained that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient to warrant compelling his client to enter a defence to the allegations.

However, opposing the application, prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, urged the court to dismiss the no-case submission and direct El-Rufai to defend himself against the charges.