A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a no-case submission by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai in his ongoing trial over the alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications belonging to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the ruling on Monday, directing El-Rufai to enter his defence if he so desires.

The judge dismissed the no-case submission on the grounds that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to warrant calling on the former governor to defend himself.

The case centres on allegations that El-Rufai unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s telephone communications. The allegations remain subject to judicial determination.

The development comes about a week after an FCT High Court dismissed a ₦120 million fundamental rights suit filed by El-Rufai against the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

In that case, Justice Sylvanus Oriji held that the actions of the agencies, including invitations, an attempted arrest at the airport and the seizure of his passport, did not violate the former governor’s fundamental rights.

The court also awarded ₦200,000 in costs to each respondent.

El-Rufai is also facing other legal proceedings, including corruption-related and money laundering cases linked to the ICPC in Kaduna State.

Further details of Monday’s ruling are expected.