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 his trial over alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the date on Tuesday, September 22, after lawyers representing El-Rufai and the Department of State Services (DSS) adopted their respective arguments on the application.
El-Rufai, through his counsel, urged the court to hold that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case requiring him to enter a defence. The DSS opposed the application and asked the court to dismiss the no-case submission and direct the former governor to open his defence.
The DSS is prosecuting El-Rufai on an amended five-count charge relating to the alleged interception of Ribadu’s telephone communications and an alleged breach of national security. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case followed comments El-Rufai made during an Arise TV interview on February 13, 2026, concerning alleged interception of telephone communications involving Ribadu. The prosecution has relied, among other evidence, on a recording of the interview, which was presented before the court.
The DSS previously called two witnesses, including a DSS operative and lawyer Deji Adeyanju, who testified about statements allegedly made by El-Rufai during the television interview. The prosecution subsequently closed its case, after which El-Rufai filed the no-case submission.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, DSS counsel Oluwole Aladedoye argued that the defence had not adequately addressed Exhibit B, which the prosecution described as containing an alleged admission by El-Rufai concerning the interception of Ribadu’s communications. He urged the court to order the former governor to enter his defence.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until October 26 for a ruling on the no-case submission.
El-Rufai remains an accused person in the case and has not been convicted of the allegations against him.
