By Anthony Otaru, Abuja
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday formally closed its case against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the ongoing alleged wiretapping trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja, setting the stage for a legal battle over whether the former governor has a case to answer.
The development came after the prosecution informed the court that it would not be presenting additional witnesses in support of its allegations against El-Rufai.
With the prosecution resting its case, defence counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), immediately indicated that the former governor would file a no-case submission, arguing that the DSS had failed to establish sufficient evidence to warrant his defence.
The trial, which has attracted national attention due to its political implications, centres on allegations that El-Rufai was involved in intercepting communications linked to top government officials, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
At the resumed hearing, prosecuting counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, told the court that the DSS had concluded its presentation of evidence and witnesses.
In response, Erokoro requested two weeks to prepare and file the no-case submission.
The defence’s position is that the prosecution failed to produce credible evidence capable of linking the former governor to the alleged offences.
The prosecution also sought a review of some of the bail conditions earlier granted to El-Rufai, describing them as difficult to meet.
Particularly contentious were the requirements that sureties must be Level 17 civil servants owning property in Abuja’s highbrow Maitama or Asokoro districts, as well as obtaining verification letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council.
However, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik rejected the request.
“There are civil servants who own properties in those locations,” the judge ruled while declining to vary the conditions.
The court subsequently adjourned the proceedings until September 22 to file and adopt the no-case submission.
The next stage of the trial is expected to determine whether the court considers the prosecution’s evidence sufficient to compel El-Rufai to open his defence or whether the former governor could be discharged without being called upon to answer the allegations.
