Court Orders Nasir El-Rufai to Open Defense in Wire-Tapping Case

The court ruled against Nasir El-Rufai's no-case submission, stating that the prosecution had provided enough evidence for him to enter his defense. El-Rufai, the former governor, is facing a five-count amended charge from the Department of State Services (DSS) regarding allegations of unlawfully intercepting telephone conversations related to Nuhu Ribadu.

In February 2026, during an Arise Television interview, El-Rufai claimed that someone wiretapped Ribadu's phone, allowing him to overhear instructions from the National Security Adviser to arrest Ribadu. After the Federal Government presented two witnesses, El-Rufai's counsel, Paul Erokoro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), argued for his acquittal, claiming the prosecution did not establish a prima facie case.

However, prosecution counsel Oluwole Aladedoye opposed this, asserting that the evidence was sufficient. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled in favor of the prosecution, ordering El-Rufai to open his defense, with the case adjourned until November 25.