A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned a case against former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, till October 26 to rule on his no-case submission. El-Rufai is standing trial over the alleged unlawful interception of a telephone communication of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu. The case was adjourned after both the prosecution and defence adopted their arguments on El-Rufai's no-case submission.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, told the court that the defence, in making their no-case submission, had evaded Exhibit B, which he said was the defendant's confession. Aladedoye prayed the court to overrule the no-case submission and order El-Rufai to enter his defence. On the other hand, counsel to El-Rufai, Mr Ekere, urged the court to uphold the no-case submission and discharge the defendant.
The trial judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, refused a request from El-Rufai's counsel to stand down the proceedings, citing that she does not do stand downs. The judge granted an application for an extension of time to deem the defendant's no-case submission properly filed and served. El-Rufai was docked by the Department of State Services (DSS) on behalf of the federal government on a five-count amended charge.
The charges against El-Rufai include intentionally and unlawfully interfering with the communication of the NSA, which constitutes Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNI). El-Rufai allegedly admitted to this on February 13, 2026, during an interview on Arise TV station's prime time programme in Abuja. The former governor denied all the allegations levelled against him by the federal government when the charges were read out to him in court.
The federal government accused El-Rufai of using technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety, national security, and instilling reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians. The government also alleged that El-Rufai aided, abetted, procured, and/or related with certain individuals who unlawfully intercepted the communications of Nuhu Ribadu, without reporting the said individuals to relevant security agencies.
El-Rufai's counsel, Mr Akinyemi Aremu, announced that the defence team was led by Mr Paul Erokoro, SAN, who was yet to arrive in court. Aremu sought the court's permission for his co-counsel, Mr Ekere, to handle the proceedings. The judge granted the request, allowing Ekere to move a motion seeking an extension of time to deem the defendant's no-case submission properly filed and served.
The case against El-Rufai is one of several high-profile cases in Nigeria involving allegations of cybercrimes and unlawful interception of communications. The Federal High Court's decision on October 26 will determine whether El-Rufai will have to enter his defence or be discharged. The case has garnered significant attention due to El-Rufai's status as a former governor and the nature of the allegations against him.
Key points
- The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 26 to rule on Malam Nasir El-Rufai's no-case submission.
- El-Rufai is standing trial over the alleged unlawful interception of a telephone communication of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
- The former governor faces a five-count amended charge, including allegations of cybercrimes and unlawful interception of communications.
