El-Rufai To File No-case Submission As DSS Closes Wiretapping Case

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is set to file a no-case submission in his alleged wiretapping trial after the Department of State Services (DSS) closed its case against him before 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 agency alleged that the former governor claimed during a live interview on Arise Television in February that he intercepted a telephone conversation involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

According to the charge, the alleged interception revealed plans by security operatives to arrest him.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, counsel for the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the prosecution would not call further witnesses.

Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, El-Rufai’s counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), told the court that the defence would file a no-case submission.

Erokoro said the application would argue that the prosecution failed to establish sufficient evidence requiring the former governor to enter a defence.

The defence asked for two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution also requested two weeks to respond.

Erokoro also applied for a variation of El-Rufai’s bail conditions, describing them as stringent and difficult to meet.

He argued that the requirement for Level 17 civil servants with properties in Maitama or Asokoro districts of Abuja to stand as sureties was onerous.

The defence also challenged the requirement for verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council.

The prosecution opposed the application and urged the court to reject the request.

Ruling on the application, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined to vary the bail conditions.

The judge held that there were civil servants who owned properties in the designated areas and could serve as sureties.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until September 22 for the filing of the no-case submission and continuation of proceedings.