Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is preparing to seek a dismissal of the charges against him after the Department of State Services (DSS) concluded its prosecution before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.
The DSS is prosecuting El-Rufai on an amended five-count charge relating to alleged unlawful interception of communications and actions said to threaten national security. The case stems from comments he made during a live television interview in February, where he claimed to have obtained details of a telephone conversation involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. According to the agency, the statement suggested that security operatives were plotting his arrest and amounted to a violation of provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2024.
At the latest court session, counsel for the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the prosecution had finished presenting its evidence and would not call any additional witnesses, effectively closing its case.
Following the announcement, El-Rufai’s lead counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), told the court that the defence would file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to present enough evidence to justify requiring the former governor to open his defence.
The defence requested two weeks to prepare and file the application, while the DSS asked for an additional two weeks to respond to the motion.
Erokoro also urged the court to review the bail conditions earlier imposed on his client, maintaining that they were excessively demanding and difficult to meet. He particularly challenged the requirement that sureties must be Level 17 civil servants who own property in Abuja’s Maitama or Asokoro districts, as well as the need for verification and endorsement letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council.
The prosecution opposed the request, insisting that qualified public servants who met the conditions were available and urging the court to maintain the existing terms.
In her ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined to alter the bail conditions, holding that suitable civil servants with property in the designated locations could still stand as sureties.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until September 22, when the court will consider the no-case submission and take further steps in the proceedings.