Court adjourns El-Rufai trial after DSS closes case
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday opted for a no-case submission in his ongoing trial over alleged breaches of national security after the Department of State Services (DSS) closed its case. The development occurred before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja when DSS counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the prosecution would not be calling additional witnesses. He told the court that the DSS was satisfied it had presented sufficient evidence to support the charges filed against the former governor. Following this, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro, announced that the defence would be filing a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case. The defence requested two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution asked for the same period to respond. Erokoro also sought a variation of the bail conditions earlier imposed on El-Rufai, describing them as overly stringent and difficult to satisfy, particularly requirements involving senior civil servants and property ownership in highbrow areas of Abuja. However, the prosecution opposed the request, insisting that qualified individuals who meet the conditions exist and urging the court to maintain the existing terms. Justice Abdulmalik declined the application to vary the bail conditions, ruling that the requirements were reasonable and could be met.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until September 22 for hearing of the no-case submission and continuation of proceedings. According to court records, the DSS filed charges against El-Rufai following comments he made during a television interview, where he allegedly claimed to have intercepted a phone conversation involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. He was arraigned on April 23 on a five-count amended charge and pleaded not guilty.
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