El-Rufai’s No-Case Bid: Court Fixes October 26 For Ruling In Alleged Wiretapping Trial

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, in the ongoing trial over the alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications involving National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik reserved the ruling on Tuesday after lawyers representing El-Rufai and the Department of State Services (DSS) adopted their respective arguments on the application.

El-Rufai’s lead counsel, Paul Erokoro, SAN, urged the court to uphold the no-case submission and discharge his client, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case requiring the former governor to enter a defence.

The DSS, however, opposed the application. Its counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the no-case submission and order El-Rufai to open his defence.

A major point of contention was Exhibit B, which the prosecution said contained an alleged admission by El-Rufai concerning the interception of Ribadu’s telephone communications. The DSS argued that the defence had not adequately addressed the evidence in its application.

The prosecution had earlier called two witnesses, including a DSS operative and lawyer Deji Adeyanju, during the trial. Adeyanju testified about comments allegedly made by El-Rufai during a television interview concerning the interception of telephone communications involving Ribadu.

El-Rufai is facing an amended five-count charge over the alleged interception of Ribadu’s communications and an alleged breach of national security. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

With arguments on the no-case submission now concluded, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until October 26 for ruling on whether the former governor will be required to enter a defence.