WorldStage– The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled October 26, 2026, to rule on a no-case submission filed by the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.
El-rufai is currently facing trial over the alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications, a case initiated against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, fixed the date today, Tuesday, September 22, 2026 following the adoption of final written addresses and arguments by both the prosecution and defence teams.
El-Rufai is being prosecuted on an amended five-count charge bordering on a significant breach of national security. The charges stem from his alleged wiretapping and eavesdropping on the private telephone conversations of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
During Tuesday’s resumed proceedings, El-Rufai’s legal counsel, Akinyemi Aremu, appearing alongside lead counsel Paul Erokoro, SAN, formally adopted their processes.
Aremu passionately urged the court to uphold the no-case submission, arguing that the DSS had completely failed to establish a prima facie case against the former governor.
They maintained that the evidence presented by the government was insufficient, meaning El-Rufai should not be required to enter a defence and should instead be discharged and acquitted.
However, the prosecuting counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, strongly opposed the application by adopting the DSS’s counter-affidavit.
Aladedoye argued that the prosecution had built a solid case before closing its registry of witnesses in June.
He specifically pointed out “Exhibit B,” which features a televised interview where El-Rufai allegedly admitted to the wiretapping by stating, “We listened to the conversations of the NSA.”
The prosecution insisted that this broadcasted statement, alongside testimonies from a DSS operative and human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, provided enough ground to compel the defendant to stand trial.
The legal battle has generated intense public interest across Nigeria due to its political implications and national security focus.
Justice Abdulmalik’s upcoming decision on October 26 will determine whether the criminal proceedings against the former governor will be terminated or if El-Rufai will be forced to open his defence.
