The Department of State Services (DSS) has closed its case against former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai in the ongoing alleged wiretapping trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, prosecuting counsel Oluwole Aladedoye informed the court that the prosecution would not be calling any additional witnesses, formally bringing the DSS’s case to a close.
Following the announcement, defence counsel Paul Erokoro told the court that El-Rufai’s legal team intends to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution has failed to establish a prima facie case against the former governor.
The defence subsequently requested two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution sought a further two weeks to respond.
The prosecution also applied for a variation of the bail conditions earlier granted to El-Rufai, contending that some of the requirements were excessively stringent and difficult to fulfil.
In response, the defence argued that the conditions were onerous, particularly the requirement for sureties who are level 17 civil servants with landed property in Abuja’s Maitama or Asokoro districts, as well as the submission of verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that qualified public officers who meet the stipulated conditions are available and urging the court to reject the request.
In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined to vary the bail conditions, holding that there are civil servants who own properties in the specified locations and are capable of meeting the court’s requirements.
The court subsequently adjourned proceedings until September 22 for the filing and hearing of the no-case submission.
