The Department of State Services (DSS) has concluded its case against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the ongoing alleged wiretapping trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the prosecution would not be calling any additional witnesses, effectively bringing its case to a close.
Following the announcement, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro, disclosed that the defence would file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against the former governor.
The defence requested two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution sought a similar period to respond.
During the proceedings, the defence also asked the court to review El-Rufai’s bail conditions, describing them as difficult to meet. Specifically, counsel challenged the requirement that his sureties must be Level 17 civil servants with landed property in Abuja’s Maitama or Asokoro districts, as well as the need for verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council.
However, the prosecution opposed the request, maintaining that qualified individuals who meet the conditions are available and urging the court to retain the existing terms.
In her ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik refused the application to vary the bail conditions, holding that there are civil servants who satisfy the court’s requirements.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until September 22 for the hearing of the no-case submission and further proceedings in the trial.
El-Rufai, who served as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, is facing charges related to alleged unlawful interception and monitoring of communications. The former governor has denied the allegations.
