The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the no-case submission filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai against expenses instituted against him by the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged phone interception.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik dismissed the applying on Monday.
Nairametrics beforehand reported that El-Rufai was arraigned by the DSS for allegedly intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The charges, filed against El-Rufai by the DSS on February 16, 2026, have been denied by the previous governor, paving the way in which for his trial.
Justice Abdulmalik agrees with prosecution
At the resumed listening to, Justice Abdulmalik dismissed El-Rufai’s no-case submission, agreeing with the prosecution’s argument that it had established a “prima facie case” against the defendant.
- The decide held that the DSS had introduced ample proof earlier than the court docket to require El-Rufai to enter his defence, ought to he so need, as required by legislation.
She subsequently ordered the previous governor to enter his defence and adjourned the matter till November 25 for him to open his defence.
Backstory
The DSS legal team filed a three-count charge against the former governor.
In Count 1, El-Rufai was accused of admitting, throughout an look on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme in Abuja on February 13, 2026, that he and his associates had unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The DSS maintained that the alleged offence was opposite to and punishable underneath Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, and so on.) Amendment Act, 2024.
- In one other rely, El-Rufai was accused of stating throughout the identical interview that he knew and had dealings with sure people who unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s phone communications however didn’t report them to the related safety companies. The alleged offence was mentioned to be punishable underneath Section 27(b) of the identical Act.
- In the third rely, El-Rufai and others nonetheless at massive have been accused of utilizing technical tools or programs to compromise public security and nationwide safety, thereby creating an affordable apprehension of insecurity amongst Nigerians by the illegal interception of the National Security Adviser’s phone communications.
- The cost was mentioned to be opposite to and punishable underneath Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
Nairametrics stories that the previous governor can be dealing with a separate case instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
What You Should Know
The dispute between the DSS and El-Rufai gained widespread consideration after the previous governor granted an interview on Arise News.
- During the interview, the anchor, Charles Aniagolu, interjected, noting that phone tapping was unlawful.
The Presidency later accused El-Rufai of allegedly admitting on nationwide tv that somebody had tapped the National Security Adviser’s phone, enabling him to take heed to the dialog.
