El-Rufai Shares Kiss With Wife In Court As Judge Orders Him To Open Defence

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai shared a kiss with his wife at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, October 26, 2026, as proceedings continued in his alleged unlawful telephone interception case.

A video circulated by Channels Television showed El-Rufai, dressed in white traditional attire, approaching his wife, who wore a pink-and-white patterned outfit, a headscarf and sunglasses, before the pair exchanged a kiss inside the courtroom.

The couple later sat together in the courtroom gallery as lawyers and other attendees observed the proceedings.

The moment came on the day Justice Joyce Abdulmalik dismissed El-Rufai’s no-case submission in the case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The court held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring the former governor to enter his defence. Proceedings were subsequently adjourned until November 25, 2026.

El-Rufai is facing an amended five-count charge over allegations of unlawfully intercepting telephone communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

The allegations followed comments the former governor made during a February 2026 interview with Arise Television, during which he referred to an intercepted conversation.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The DSS had earlier closed its case after presenting witnesses and electronic evidence, including a recording of the television interview.

Meanwhile, El-Rufai is also facing separate legal proceedings connected to alleged financial misconduct during his tenure as Kaduna State governor between 2015 and 2023. The cases are being handled by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The former governor has also pursued legal action over issues relating to his fundamental rights, including access to family members while in custody.

The courtroom exchange between El-Rufai and his wife attracted attention on social media, adding a personal moment to a day dominated by developments in his ongoing legal battles.