The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, seeking a review of his bail conditions in the ongoing alleged wiretapping trial.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled against the request on Tuesday, holding that the existing bail conditions remain valid and that qualified sureties are available to meet the court’s requirements.
The defence had asked the court to vary the bail terms, which require sureties to be Level 17 civil servants who own properties in Abuja’s Maitama or Asokoro districts, in addition to providing attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik declined the application, maintaining that the conditions were not impossible to fulfil and should therefore remain in force.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) formally closed its case against El-Rufai after informing the court that it had no further witnesses to present.
Prosecuting counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, confirmed the closure of the prosecution’s case, paving the way for the defence to begin the next phase of proceedings.
Counsel to the former governor, Paul Erokoro (SAN), subsequently indicated the defence’s intention to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish sufficient evidence linking his client to the allegations.
Following submissions from both parties, the court granted a two-week window for the filing of all relevant processes and adjourned the matter until September 22, 2026.
At the next sitting, the court is expected to hear arguments on the no-case submission, a legal application through which the defence seeks to have the charges dismissed on the grounds that the prosecution has not made a prima facie case requiring the defendant to enter a defence.
The ruling on the application could determine whether the trial proceeds to the defence stage or is brought to an early conclusion.
