Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, will file a no-case submission in his alleged wiretapping trial after the Department of State Services closed its case against him before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.
The DSS is prosecuting El-Rufai on an amended five-count charge bordering on alleged unlawful interception of communications and breach of national security.
At the resumed hearing, counsel for the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the prosecution would not be calling additional witnesses, prompting the closure of its case.
Following the development, counsel for the defendant, Paul Erokoro (SAN), notified the court of the defence’s intention to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against his client.
Erokoro sought two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution requested a similar period to respond.
The defence also applied for a variation of El-Rufai’s bail conditions, describing them as difficult to meet.
According to Erokoro, the requirement for Level 17 civil servants with properties in Maitama or Asokoro to stand as sureties, as well as verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council, was onerous.
However, the prosecution opposed the application.
In her ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined the request, holding that eligible civil servants capable of meeting the conditions existed.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until September 22 for the filing of the no-case submission and further proceedings.
The DSS had accused El-Rufai of claiming during a television interview that he intercepted a telephone conversation allegedly involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, concerning plans to arrest him.
