Update: DSS Closes Case Against El-Rufai; Ex-Governor Files No-Case Submission

Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, is preparing to submit a 'no-case' argument in his ongoing wiretapping trial. This development follows the Department of State Services (DSS) formally concluding its prosecution against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.

El-Rufai faces an amended five-count charge from the DSS, which includes allegations of illegally intercepting communications and compromising national security. The charges stem from El-Rufai's statement on Arise Television during a live interview in February. He reportedly claimed to have intercepted a phone call involving Ribadu, which allegedly exposed security operatives' plans to arrest him. The DSS considers this action a violation of Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.

During the latest court session, Oluwole Aladedoye, representing the DSS, notified the court that the prosecution had no additional witnesses to present, leading to the official closure of their case. In response to this, Paul Erokoro (SAN), counsel for El-Rufai, informed the court of the defence's intention to file a no-case submission. Erokoro argued that the prosecution had not presented enough evidence to justify his client being required to offer a defence. The defence requested a two-week period to submit their application, with the prosecution asking for an equivalent two weeks to provide their response.

Furthermore, Erokoro sought a modification of the bail terms previously granted to the former governor, characterizing them as overly strict and challenging to meet. He specifically highlighted the difficulty of the conditions that mandated Level 17 civil servants, who own properties in Abuja's Maitama or Asokoro areas, to serve as sureties. Additionally, he cited the requirement for verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council as burdensome.

The prosecution, however, opposed this request, asserting that there were indeed public officials who could satisfy these conditions and urged the court to deny the application. In her ruling on the application, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik refused to alter the bail conditions. She maintained that civil servants possessing properties in the specified districts capable of acting as sureties were available. The judge then adjourned the case until September 22, when the no-case submission is expected to be filed and further proceedings will continue.