Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has reached another stage in his ongoing legal battle over allegations that he unlawfully intercepted the telephone communications of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has directed El-Rufai to present his defence if he chooses to do so, following the court’s rejection of his no-case submission.
The former governor had filed the application, seeking to challenge whether the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to require him to defend himself in the case.
However, Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the prosecution had provided enough evidence to warrant calling on El-Rufai to respond to the allegations.
The decision means the trial will proceed to the defence stage, although El-Rufai retains the option of deciding whether to present a defence.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until November 25 for the defence proceedings.
The case centres on allegations of unlawful interception of Ribadu’s telephone communications. The allegations remain subject to the ongoing court proceedings, and the court’s decision to reject the no-case submission does not amount to a finding of guilt.
Source: Court proceedings
