The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to enter his defence, if he so desires, in the ongoing trial over the alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications belonging to National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik gave the order on Monday while ruling on a no-case submission filed by El-Rufai.
The judge dismissed the application, holding that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to warrant the former governor being called upon to defend himself against the allegations.
A no-case submission is an application by a defendant asking the court to terminate a trial on the grounds that the prosecution has failed to present sufficient evidence requiring a defence.
With the application dismissed, El-Rufai has been given the opportunity to respond to the allegations against him.
The court subsequently adjourned the case until November 25 for the defence.
El-Rufai, who served as Kaduna State governor from 2015 to 2023, is standing trial over allegations that he unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s telephone communications.
