The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 26, 2026, to rule on a no-case submission filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in an alleged phone-tapping case brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date after hearing arguments from both El-Rufai’s defence team and the DSS on whether the former governor has a case to answer.
El-Rufai, through his legal team, argued that the prosecution had failed to present sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against him.
His lawyer urged the court to uphold the no-case submission and discharge the former governor without requiring him to present a defence.
The DSS, however, opposed the application and asked the court to dismiss it. The agency maintained that the prosecution had presented enough evidence linking El-Rufai to the allegations.
The case centres on allegations that El-Rufai unlawfully intercepted telephone communications involving National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The former governor is being prosecuted over allegations bordering on breach of national security.
At the latest hearing, counsel for both sides adopted their respective arguments before the judge reserved her ruling.
A no-case submission is an application by a defendant arguing that the prosecution has not produced enough evidence to require the defendant to enter a defence.
The court’s October 26 ruling will determine whether the prosecution has established sufficient grounds for El-Rufai to be called upon to defend himself in the case.
Until the ruling is delivered, the allegations against the former governor remain matters before the court.
