Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state, is set to file a no-case submission after the Department of State Services (DSS) formally closed its case against him at the federal high court in Abuja.
The DSS is prosecuting El-Rufai on an amended five-count charge bordering on alleged unlawful interception of communications and breach of national security.
The charges stem from comments he allegedly made during a live interview on Arise Television in February, where he claimed to have intercepted a telephone conversation involving Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser, an allegation the agency says contravenes provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
At Tuesday’s resumed hearing, Oluwole Aladedoye, DSS counsel informed the court that the prosecution would not be calling any further witnesses, formally closing its case.
Following the development, Paul Erokoro (SAN), El-Rufai’s counsel told the court that the defence would proceed with a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish sufficient evidence requiring the former governor to enter a defence.
The defence requested two weeks to file its application, while the DSS asked for additional time to respond.
Erokoro also urged the court to vary the bail conditions earlier imposed on El-Rufai, describing them as stringent and difficult to fulfil, particularly requirements for high-ranking civil servants and property-owning sureties in Abuja’s Maitama or Asokoro districts.
The prosecution opposed the request, insisting that qualified sureties exist and urged the court to maintain the conditions.
However, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined the bail variation request, holding that eligible sureties meeting the conditions were available.
The court adjourned the matter until September 22 for hearing of the no-case submission and continuation of proceedings.
