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Alleged Wiretapping: El-Rufai insists FG failed to prove case against him, opts for no-case submission as DSS closes case
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has opted for a no-case submission in his ongoing trial over alleged breaches of national security.
El-Rufai, through his lawyer, Paul Erokoro (SAN), informed the Federal High Court in Abuja of the decision on Tuesday shortly after the Department of State Services (DSS) closed its case before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
Counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), told the court that the prosecution would not be calling additional witnesses, maintaining that the evidence already presented was sufficient to establish the offences contained in the charge against the former governor.
In response, Erokoro notified the court that the defence would file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against his client. He requested two weeks to file the application, while the DSS sought a similar period to respond.
The defence also applied for a variation of El-Rufai’s bail conditions, describing them as stringent and difficult to satisfy. Erokoro specifically challenged the requirement for sureties who are Level 17 civil servants with properties in Maitama or Asokoro, as well as verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna State traditional council.
However, the DSS opposed the application, arguing that qualified individuals who meet the conditions exist and urging the court to maintain the existing terms.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik dismissed the request to vary the bail conditions, holding that eligible civil servants with properties in the specified locations are available.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until September 22 for the filing and hearing of the no-case submission.
El-Rufai is facing a five-count amended charge after allegedly intercepting telephone conversations involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The charges stem from claims he made during a television interview in which he alleged that he intercepted a conversation suggesting security operatives had been directed to arrest him. He linked the alleged directive to an incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport following his return from Cairo, Egypt, on February 12.
The former governor was arraigned on April 23 and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
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Alleged Wiretapping: El-Rufai insists FG failed to prove case against him, opts for no-case submission as DSS closes case