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 a case involving the alleged interception of telephone communications linked to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik reserved the ruling after hearing arguments from El-Rufai’s defence team and the Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday.
El-Rufai’s counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), urged the court to uphold the no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case requiring his client to enter a defence.
Counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the application and order El-Rufai to open his defence.
Aladedoye argued that the defence had not adequately addressed Exhibit B, which the prosecution said contained an alleged admission by El-Rufai regarding the interception of Ribadu’s telephone communications.
The DSS had earlier called two prosecution witnesses, including a DSS operative and human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, who testified about statements allegedly made by El-Rufai during a television interview concerning the interception of telephone communications involving Ribadu.
The court also viewed the televised interview during the proceedings.
Adeyanju told the court that although he did not hear El-Rufai expressly state that he hacked Ribadu’s phone, he heard him say, “We listened to the conversations of the NSA.”
The case involves an amended five-count charge filed against El-Rufai over the alleged interception of Ribadu’s telephone communications and an alleged breach of national security. El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The DSS closed its case in June after presenting witnesses and electronic evidence, including a recording of the television interview.
A prosecution witness also told the court that Ribadu had confirmed that the conversation referenced by El-Rufai had taken place.
Following the adoption of arguments by both sides, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until October 26 for ruling on the no-case submission.
El-Rufai remains on ₦100 million bail after the court rejected his request to vary the bail conditions.
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