A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a no-case submission made by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, concerning the alleged unlawful interception of telephone conversations involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the prosecution had provided enough evidence for El-Rufai to enter his defence against the five amended charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS). The judge ordered the former governor to begin his defence, with the case adjourned to November 25, 2026.
El-Rufai’s legal counsel, Paul Erokoro, had argued for his client’s acquittal, claiming the prosecution did not establish a prima facie case. He contended that the evidence was not adequate to compel his client to respond to the allegations.
In contrast, prosecution lawyer Oluwole Aladedoye opposed the submission, asserting that the evidence was sufficient to mandate a defence from El-Rufai.
Justice Abdulmalik upheld the prosecution’s argument, allowing the case to proceed to the defence stage, thereby denying El-Rufai’s request to be discharged and acquitted at this point.
The charges relate to claims that El-Rufai unlawfully intercepted phone calls linked to Ribadu. This controversy arose during a February 2026 interview on Arise Television, where El-Rufai alleged that someone had wiretapped Ribadu’s phone, enabling him to overhear a conversation in which Ribadu reportedly ordered security personnel to arrest him. This allegation formed the foundation for the DSS prosecution.
With the court’s ruling, El-Rufai will be expected to present his defence when proceedings resume on November 25.
