Court fixes October 26 to rule on El-Rufai’s no-case submission

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 26, 2026, to rule on a no-case submission filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai in his ongoing trial over alleged unlawful interception of telephone communication.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date after lawyers for the prosecution and defence adopted their arguments on whether El-Rufai should be required to open a defence.

El-Rufai is facing an amended five-count charge relating to the alleged interception of telephone communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and an alleged breach of national security.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

His legal team urged the court to uphold the no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case requiring him to present a defence.

Prosecutors opposed the application and asked the court to order the former governor to open his defence.

The prosecution argued that evidence already admitted during the trial was sufficient for the case to continue.

A no-case submission asks a court to dismiss charges at the close of the prosecution’s case on the ground that insufficient evidence has been presented to require the defendant to answer.

Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until October 26 for ruling.