BREAKING: Phone-tapping: Court orders El-Rufai to defend himself

On Monday, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai's no-case submission in the ongoing case concerning allegations of unlawful interception of telephone conversations. The court determined that the prosecution had provided enough evidence to require El-Rufai to present his defense, and subsequently instructed him to submit his defense next month.

The case revolves around a five-count amended charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) alleging that El-Rufai unlawfully intercepted conversations linked to Nuhu Ribadu. During an interview in February 2026, El-Rufai accused Ribadu of wiretapping his phone, which allegedly allowed him to hear the National Security Adviser (NSA) instructing security personnel to apprehend him.

Following the presentation of two witnesses against El-Rufai, the government concluded its case, after which El-Rufai filed the no-case submission. His counsel, Paul Erokoro, requested the court to acquit the former governor of the five-count amended charge, arguing that the prosecution had not proven a prima facie case compelling El-Rufai to enter a defense.

However, the prosecution's counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, opposed the no-case submission, urging the court to dismiss the application and mandate El-Rufai to enter his defense, citing the sufficient oral and documentary evidence presented in court to necessitate the defendant's response to the charges. The judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, sided with the prosecution and ordered El-Rufai to commence his defense. The case was subsequently adjourned until November 25 for El-Rufai to present his defense.