El-Rufai opts for no-case submission as DSS closes case in ‘illegal phone interception’ suit

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has opted to file a no-case submission after the Department of State Services (DSS) closed its case in the ongoing trial over alleged illegal interception of telephone conversations.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the prosecution would not be presenting additional witnesses.

According to Aladedoye, the agency believes the evidence already before the court is sufficient to establish the allegations against the former governor.

In response, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro, told the court that the defence would file a no-case submission, maintaining that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case requiring his client to open a defence.

Erokoro requested two weeks to file the application, while the DSS sought the same duration to respond.

The defence team also urged the court to review El-Rufai’s bail conditions, arguing that some of the requirements were too stringent and difficult to meet.

Specifically, the lawyer challenged the condition requiring sureties who are level 17 civil servants owning property in Abuja’s Maitama or Asokoro districts, as well as the submission of verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council.

However, the prosecution opposed the application and asked the court to retain the existing bail terms.

In his ruling, Justice Abdulmalik rejected the request for variation of the bail conditions, stating that eligible civil servants capable of meeting the requirements could be found.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to September 22 for the filing of the no-case submission.

El-Rufai is facing a five-count amended charge brought by the DSS over allegations that he unlawfully intercepted telephone conversations linked to Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser.