A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected Nasir El-Rufai’s bid to end his wiretapping trial without presenting a defence, ruling that the prosecution had produced enough evidence for the case to proceed.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik dismissed the former Kaduna governor’s no-case submission on Monday, October 26, and adjourned the case to November 25, 2026, for the defence stage.
The ruling does not determine whether El-Rufai is guilty. He faces an amended five-count charge brought through the Department of State Services over the alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications linked to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
El-Rufai filed the application after the prosecution closed its case with testimony from two witnesses. His lawyer, Paul Erokoro, argued that the evidence was insufficient and asked the court to discharge and acquit him.
Prosecution counsel Oluwole Aladedoye opposed the request, arguing that the oral and documentary evidence required a response from the defendant. Justice Abdulmalik agreed that the trial should continue to the defence stage.
The prosecution followed remarks El-Rufai made during an ARISE Television interview in February 2026. He said someone had intercepted Ribadu’s telephone conversation, allowing him to hear an alleged instruction to security operatives to arrest him.
NaijaTrend reported the court’s earlier decision to reserve the ruling for October 26 here. The next hearing is scheduled for November 25.
Sources: Punch, Channels Television, Vanguard
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