Court Orders El-Rufai to Open Defence in Alleged Phone Interception Case

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a no-case submission filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in a case involving the alleged unlawful interception of telephone conversations linked to National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled on Monday that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to require El-Rufai to enter his defence against the five-count amended charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS). The court adjourned the case until November 25, 2026, for the former governor to open his defence.

Prosecution and Defence Arguments

El-Rufai filed the no-case submission after the Federal Government closed its case, following testimony from two prosecution witnesses. His counsel, Paul Erokoro, urged the court to discharge and acquit his client, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case. However, prosecution counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, asked the court to dismiss the application, maintaining that the oral and documentary evidence presented was sufficient to require the defendant to respond to the allegations. Justice Abdulmalik agreed with the prosecution and directed El-Rufai to present his defence.

Background to the Case

The charges followed comments El-Rufai made during an interview on Arise Television's *Prime Time* programme in February 2026. During the interview, he alleged that Ribadu's telephone had been intercepted, allowing him to hear a conversation in which the NSA allegedly instructed security operatives to arrest him. The allegation subsequently became the basis of the DSS prosecution. The dismissal of the no-case submission does not amount to a conviction. El-Rufai is expected to present his defence when proceedings resume on November 25, 2026.