The Department of State Services (DSS) has formally closed its case against former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai in the ongoing alleged wiretapping trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, prosecuting counsel Oluwole Aladedoye informed the court that the prosecution would not be presenting any additional witnesses, effectively bringing the DSS’s case to a close.
Following the announcement, defence counsel Paul Erokoro, SAN, told the court that the defence intends to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution has failed to establish sufficient evidence to warrant El-Rufai entering a defence.
The defence subsequently requested two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution sought an additional two weeks to respond.
During the hearing, the defence also applied for a variation of some of the bail conditions earlier imposed on the former governor, describing them as excessively stringent and difficult to satisfy.
According to the defence, requirements that a surety must be a Grade Level 17 civil servant with property in Abuja’s Maitama or Asokoro districts, as well as the need for verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council, were particularly burdensome.
However, the prosecution opposed the request, maintaining that qualified public officers who meet the conditions exist and urging the court not to alter the terms.
In her ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined the application to vary the bail conditions, holding that there are civil servants capable of meeting the requirements set by the court.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until September 22 for the filing and hearing of the no-case submission, which will determine whether the former governor has a case to answer.
El-Rufai is facing charges linked to allegations that he was involved in the unlawful interception of communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. He has consistently denied the allegations and challenged the legal basis of the prosecution’s case.
