The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday closed its case against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the ongoing trial over alleged unlawful interception of communications involving National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The development occurred before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who also dismissed an application by the defence seeking a relaxation of El-Rufai’s bail conditions.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until September 22, 2026, for hearing of a no-case submission to be filed by the defence.
At the resumed hearing, El-Rufai’s legal team asked the court to review the strict bail conditions earlier imposed on him, arguing that they were excessive.
The conditions require sureties to be Level 17 civil servants who own property in Abuja’s Maitama or Asokoro districts and also present attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Rulers Council.
However, Justice Abdulmalik ruled that there were qualified individuals capable of meeting the requirements and found no sufficient reason to alter her earlier decision.
Following the ruling, DSS counsel Oluwole Aladedoye informed the court that the prosecution had concluded its case and would not be calling further witnesses.
“The prosecution closes its case,” he told the court.
El-Rufai, who has consistently denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty, is accused of unlawfully accessing or facilitating access to telephone communications involving the National Security Adviser.
His lead counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), told the court the defence would file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution’s evidence was insufficient to sustain the charges.
Justice Abdulmalik granted both parties two weeks to file and exchange necessary processes ahead of the next hearing date.
