The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 26, 2026, to rule on the no-case submission filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai in his trial over alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the date after prosecution and defence lawyers adopted their arguments.
The Department of State Services is prosecuting El-Rufai on an amended five-count charge arising from statements he made during a February 13 television interview concerning alleged access to telephone communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
El-Rufai’s defence argues that the prosecution has failed to establish a prima facie case requiring him to enter a defence.
The DSS disputes that position and has asked the court to dismiss the no-case submission and direct him to open his defence.
A no-case submission does not require the court at this stage to determine final guilt or innocence. The issue is whether the prosecution has produced sufficient evidence which, if left unanswered, could legally justify calling upon the defendant to defend the charge.
Justice Abdulmalik will determine that question on October 26.
Until then, the allegations against El-Rufai remain unproven and he continues to enjoy the constitutional presumption of innocence.
READ MORE: FG Seeks Dismissal of El-Rufai’s N1bn Rights Suit
Source: Punch Newspapers
