El-Rufai to file no-case submission as DSS closes wiretapping case

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is preparing to file a no-case submission in his trial for alleged wiretapping, following the Department of State Services (DSS) closure of its case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The DSS has charged El-Rufai with an amended five-count indictment, alleging unlawful interception of communications and breach of national security. The charges stem from El-Rufai's February interview on Arise Television, where he claimed to have intercepted a conversation involving Ribadu, allegedly revealing plans for his arrest. The agency considers this an offense under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

“

the prosecution had failed to establish sufficient evidence to warrant his client entering a defence.

During the resumed hearing, the DSS counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the prosecution would present no further witnesses, signaling the end of their case. El-Rufai's lawyer, Paul Erokoro (SAN), announced the defense's intention to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution has failed to provide sufficient evidence to require El-Rufai to present a defense. The defense requested two weeks to file this application, with the prosecution seeking a similar period to respond.

Separately, Erokoro applied for a variation of El-Rufai's bail conditions, describing them as stringent. These conditions include requiring Level 17 civil servants with properties in specific Abuja districts as sureties and obtaining verification letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council. The prosecution opposed this, but Justice Joyce Abdulmalik upheld the existing conditions, noting the availability of eligible civil servants. The court adjourned the proceedings until September 22 for the filing of the no-case submission.

“

the conditions requiring Level 17 civil servants with properties in Abuja’s Maitama or Asokoro districts to stand as sureties, as well as verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council, were onerous.