By Ayodele Oni
Ruling in the no-case submission filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the alleged phone-tapping case instituted against him by the Department of State Services (DSS), has been adjourned to October 26.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja reserved the ruling after hearing arguments from both the defence team representing El-Rufai and the DSS over whether the former governor should be called upon to open his defence.
El-Rufai’s counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), urged the court to uphold the no-case submission, arguing that the DSS has failed to establish a prima facie case against his client.
According to the defence, the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient to warrant requiring El-Rufai to defend himself in the case.
However, DSS counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), opposed the application and asked the court to dismiss the no-case submission.
Aladedoye maintained that the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence linking the former governor to the alleged offence and that he should be required to enter his defence.
A major point of contention during the proceedings was Exhibit B, which the DSS alleged contained an admission by El-Rufai concerning the interception of the telephone communications of Ribadu.
The prosecution argued that the defence has not adequately addressed the contents and implications of the exhibit in its no-case submission.
The DSS lawyer consequently urged Justice Abdulmalik to reject the application and direct El-Rufai to open his defence.
After listening to submissions from both sides, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until October 26, 2026, when she is expected to rule on the former governor’s no-case submission.
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