DSS Closes Case Against El-Rufai As Court Rejects Bid To Ease Bail Conditions

The Department of State Services (DSS) has closed its case against former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the ongoing trial over allegations of unlawful interception of communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The development came on Tuesday before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who also dismissed an application by the defence seeking a relaxation of the former governor’s bail conditions.

The court subsequently adjourned proceedings until September 22, 2026, for hearing of a no-case submission to be filed by the defence team.

At the resumed hearing, El-Rufai’s legal team urged the court to review the bail conditions earlier imposed on the defendant.

The defence argued that the requirements were excessively stringent, particularly the condition mandating sureties to be Level 17 civil servants who own property in Abuja’s upscale Maitama or Asokoro districts and obtain attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Rulers Council.

However, Justice Abdulmalik declined the request, holding that suitably qualified individuals capable of meeting the conditions were available and that there was no sufficient basis for the court to alter its earlier order.

Following the ruling on the bail application, counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the prosecution had concluded its case and would not be calling additional witnesses.

“The prosecution closes its case,” Aladedoye told the court.

The announcement marked the end of the DSS’s evidence in the high-profile trial, which stemmed  from allegations that El-Rufai unlawfully accessed or facilitated access to telephone communications involving the National Security Adviser. The former governor has consistently denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all charges. 

Responding to the prosecution’s decision, lead defence counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), informed the court that the defence would file a no-case submission..

Erokoro maintained that the evidence presented by the DSS was insufficient to sustain the charges against his client and urged the court to discharge him without requiring him to enter a defence.

Justice Abdulmalik granted both parties two weeks to file and exchange the necessary processes ahead of the next hearing date.

LEADERSHIP  reports that the case originated from charges filed by the DSS against El-Rufai in February 2026, following TV comments linked to alleged interception of communications involving Ribadu. The matter was initially brought as a three-count charge before being expanded to five counts when the former governor was arraigned . El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all counts. 

The charges border on alleged violations of provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act and the Nigerian Communications Act relating to unlawful interception of communications and matters touching on national security.