Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has signaled his intention to submit a no-case argument in his trial concerning alleged breaches of national security.
On Tuesday, El-Rufai’s lead attorney, Paul Erokoro (SAN), informed Justice Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court in Abuja that the Department of State Services (DSS) had wrapped up its case.
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During the proceedings, DSS counsel Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN) stated that there would be no further witnesses called, asserting that the evidence presented was sufficient to support the charges against El-Rufai.
In reaction, Erokoro announced the defence’s intention to file a no-case submission, contending that the prosecution had not provided enough evidence to justify El-Rufai’s need to present a defence. He requested a two-week period to file the application, while the prosecution sought the same timeframe to respond.
Additionally, the defence requested the court to reconsider some of El-Rufai’s bail conditions, labeling them as overly restrictive.
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Erokoro argued that the stipulations, including the requirement of level 17 civil servants with property in Maitama or Asokoro and the need for verification letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council, were challenging to fulfill.
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Aladedoye opposed this request, asserting that qualified individuals who could meet the conditions were available and urging the court to uphold the current terms.
Justice Abdulmalik ultimately denied the request to amend the bail conditions, affirming that civil servants owning property in the specified areas do exist.
The court then adjourned the case until September 22 for the filing of the no-case submission and for subsequent proceedings.
The DSS initiated legal action against El-Rufai following comments he made during an Arise TV interview, where he claimed to have intercepted a phone call involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, which hinted at a directive for security agencies to arrest him.
He connected this alleged directive to an incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12 upon his return from Cairo, Egypt.
El-Rufai was arraigned on April 23 facing five amended charges related to purportedly intercepting communications involving the National Security Adviser, to which he pleaded not guilty.
