The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 26, 2026, to rule on a no-case submission filed by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai in a wiretapping case brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The ruling date was announced by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik after lawyers representing El-Rufai and the DSS presented their arguments on Tuesday.
El-Rufai’s legal team is asking the court to terminate the case, arguing that the prosecution has not presented sufficient evidence to require the former governor to enter a defence.
Counsel holding brief for Paul Erokoro, SAN, told the court that the defence filed the no-case submission on August 26, 2026.
A.K. Ekere urged the court to discharge El-Rufai and dismiss the charges, while also seeking penalties against the DSS.
The prosecution, however, opposed the application and asked the court to order El-Rufai to proceed with his defence.
DSS counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, said the prosecution had filed its response to the no-case submission on September 6.
He argued that evidence already before the court established a case requiring an answer from the former governor.
According to Aladedoye, the prosecution had also tendered what it described as evidence of an admission by El-Rufai, which it maintained supported the allegations against him.
El Rufai is facing an amended five-count charge following comments he made during an Arise TV interview on February 13, 2026.
The prosecution alleges that El-Rufai disclosed information relating to the interception of telephone communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
The DSS has argued that the alleged conduct contravened provisions of Nigeria’s cybercrime and communications laws.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter until October 26 for ruling on the application.