All eyes are now turned toward the Federal High Court in Abuja as Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed October 26 to rule on the no-case submission filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
El-Rufai is facing a five-count amended charge brought by the Department of State Services (DSS) alleging breach of national security and the unlawful interception of telephone communications belonging to National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu. The legal firestorm erupted following a televised interview where the former governor allegedly admitted that associates listened to phone conversations involving the NSA.
Leading the defence, Paul Erokoro (SAN) urged the court to discharge and acquit El-Rufai, arguing that the prosecution failed to present a prima facie case or establish sufficient evidence requiring his client to open a defence. However, DSS counsel Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN) countered strongly, pointing to Exhibit B—a recording of the TV broadcast—which the secret police claim serves as an explicit admission of guilt.
With the prosecution having closed its case after calling key witnesses, including human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, the stage is set for a high-stakes judicial verdict. The upcoming October 26 ruling will determine whether El-Rufai must take the stand to defend himself or if the court will throw out the charges entirely.
Do you think the court will dismiss the charges or compel El-Rufai to enter his defence? Share your predictions in the comments below!
