Court Orders Nasir El-Rufai to Present Defense in Trial
On October 27, 2026, a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a no-case submission by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai regarding allegations of unlawful interception of telephone conversations involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to require El-Rufai to enter his defense against the five-count amended charge filed by the Department of State Services.
El-Rufai's counsel, Paul Erokoro, argued for his client's discharge and acquittal, claiming the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case. However, prosecution counsel Oluwole Aladedoye contended that the evidence warranted El-Rufai's defense.
The judge agreed with the prosecution, rejecting El-Rufai's request. The charges arose from El-Rufai's February 2026 interview on Prime Time, where he alleged that Ribadu's phone was wiretapped, allowing him to overhear a conversation about a directive to arrest him.
The case is adjourned until November 25, 2026, for El-Rufai to present his defense.
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