El-Rufai files no-case submission as DSS closes prosecution

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has opted to file a no-case submission after the Department of State Services (DSS) closed its case in his ongoing trial over alleged breaches of national security.

 

At the resumed hearing before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, the DSS, through its counsel Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), informed the court that it would not call any additional witnesses, stating that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to support the charges.

 

In response, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro (SAN), told the court that the defence would file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against the former governor.

 

The defence requested two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution sought the same period to respond.

 

Erokoro also asked the court to review El-Rufai’s bail conditions, describing them as excessively stringent, particularly the requirement for Level 17 civil servants with properties in Maitama or Asokoro and verification from the Kaduna State Traditional Council.

 

However, the court dismissed the application, ruling that qualified sureties meeting the conditions exist.

 

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the case until September 22 for the hearing of the no-case submission.

 

The DSS is prosecuting El-Rufai over allegations that he unlawfully intercepted the telephone conversation of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and made claims during a television interview that security agencies had been directed to arrest him.

 

El-Rufai, who was arraigned on April 23, has pleaded not guilty to the five-count amended charge.