The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 26 for a ruling on a no-case submission filed by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State. El-Rufai is facing allegations of breaching national security by wiretapping phone conversations of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The Department of State Services, which filed the charges, called two witnesses to testify against El-Rufai. The case has been ongoing, with El-Rufai's lawyer arguing that the prosecution has failed to establish a case against his client.
El-Rufai's lawyer, Akinyemi Aremu, adopted the processes and presented arguments for the no-case submission. He urged the court to hold that the prosecution had failed to establish a case requiring El-Rufai to enter a defence. In response, the DSS counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, adopted their counter affidavit in opposition to the no-case submission. Aladedoye argued that the defence failed to address Exhibit 'B', which the prosecution claims contains El-Rufai's alleged admission concerning the tapping of Ribadu's phone.
The DSS had sued El-Rufai after he claimed during a TV interview that he intercepted a telephone conversation involving Ribadu. El-Rufai alleged that the conversation revealed instructions to security operatives to arrest him. He linked the alleged directive to an incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12 after his return from Cairo, Egypt. The ex-governor's statement sparked controversy, leading to the DSS filing charges against him.
A subpoenaed witness, Deji Adeyanju, testified that El-Rufai allegedly admitted on national television that he wiretapped Ribadu's phone lines. The prosecution closed its case, and El-Rufai opted for a no-case submission. The court will now determine whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case against El-Rufai. If the court rules in favour of the prosecution, El-Rufai will be required to enter his defence.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until October 26 for a ruling. The judge heard arguments from both the defence and the prosecution before adjourning the case. El-Rufai's case has garnered significant attention due to the allegations of phone tapping and breach of national security. The court's ruling will determine the next course of action in the case.
The DSS has maintained that El-Rufai's alleged admission constitutes a breach of national security. The agency has argued that El-Rufai's actions, if proven, could have serious consequences for national security. El-Rufai's lawyer, however, has maintained that the prosecution has failed to establish a case against his client. The court's ruling will provide clarity on the matter.
The case against El-Rufai raises important questions about the limits of executive power and the protection of national security. The court's ruling will have implications for the interpretation of national security laws in Nigeria. The case will continue on October 26, when the court will deliver its ruling on El-Rufai's no-case submission.
Key points
- The Federal High Court in Abuja will rule on Nasir El-Rufai's no-case submission on October 26.
- El-Rufai is facing allegations of breaching national security by wiretapping phone conversations of the National Security Adviser.
- The prosecution has called two witnesses to testify against El-Rufai, including a subpoenaed witness who claims El-Rufai admitted to wiretapping.
