The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to enter his defence in a criminal case arising from allegations of unlawful interception of telephone conversations involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik made the order after dismissing a no-case submission filed by El-Rufai, who had asked the court to discharge and acquit him on the ground that the prosecution had failed to establish a case requiring a defence.
The court held that the evidence presented by the prosecution was sufficient for the proceedings to advance to the defence stage.
The case was adjourned until November 25, 2026, for El-Rufai to open his defence.
Background to the Case
The charges arose from allegations that telephone conversations linked to Ribadu had been unlawfully intercepted. The Department of State Services (DSS) brought a five-count amended charge against the former governor.
The prosecution closed its case after presenting two witnesses. El-Rufai subsequently filed a no-case submission through his counsel, Paul Erokoro, arguing that the evidence was insufficient to warrant requiring him to respond to the allegations.
Prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, opposed the application and urged the court to direct the defendant to enter his defence.
Justice Abdulmalik rejected El-Rufai’s request for discharge and acquittal at this stage of the proceedings.
What the Ruling Means
The dismissal of a no-case submission does not amount to a conviction or a final determination of guilt. It means the court considers that the prosecution’s evidence warrants a response from the defendant under the applicable criminal procedure.
El-Rufai will have the opportunity to present his defence when the matter resumes.
The next stage of the proceedings will be significant in determining how the allegations are contested and how the court evaluates the evidence before it.
The case continues to attract attention because of the issues it raises concerning alleged unlawful interception of communications, national security and criminal accountability.
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