TAIBAT UMMI YAKUBU

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has suffered a setback in his ongoing trial over the alleged unlawful interception of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu’s telephone communications, after a Federal High Court in Abuja rejected his no-case submission and directed him to present his defence if he wishes.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the ruling on Monday, holding that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to require the former governor to respond to the allegations against him.

The decision clears the way for the trial to proceed to the next stage, giving El-Rufai the opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s evidence and present his own account of the allegations.

A no-case submission is a request by a defendant asking the court to end a trial without requiring a defence, on the grounds that the prosecution has not presented sufficient evidence to warrant one.

The latest development comes barely a week after another court dismissed a separate legal challenge filed by the former governor against several federal agencies.

The FCT High Court, presided over by Justice Sylvanus Oriji, had dismissed El-Rufai’s ₦120 million fundamental rights suit against the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

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In that case, the court ruled that actions challenged by El-Rufai, including invitations by security agencies, an attempted arrest at the airport and the seizure of his passport, did not violate his fundamental rights.

The court also awarded costs of ₦200,000 against each of the respondents.

Meanwhile, the former governor is facing other ongoing legal proceedings in Kaduna State, including corruption and money laundering matters linked to the ICPC.

Monday’s ruling does not amount to a conviction. Rather, it means the court considers the prosecution’s evidence sufficient for El-Rufai to be called upon to respond as the trial continues.

Further details of the ruling and the next steps in the proceedings are expected to emerge as the case progresses.