The Department of State Services has formally 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 proceedings on Tuesday, counsel for the prosecution, Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the DSS had concluded the presentation of its evidence and would not be calling any additional witnesses. With that announcement, the prosecution officially rested its case.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, counsel to El Rufai, Paul Erokoro, disclosed that the defence would file a no case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to present enough evidence to warrant the former governor entering a defence.
The defence requested two weeks to prepare and file the application, while the prosecution also sought two weeks to respond after it is filed.
During the proceedings, the defence further urged the court to review the bail conditions earlier granted to El Rufai, describing them as excessively demanding. The lawyers argued that the requirement for sureties who are Level 17 civil servants with landed property in either Maitama or Asokoro, alongside verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council, was difficult to satisfy.
The prosecution opposed the request, maintaining that qualified civil servants capable of meeting the conditions were available and urged the court to retain the existing bail terms.
After listening to both sides, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined the application to vary the bail conditions. The judge held that there are indeed senior civil servants who own property in the specified locations, making the conditions reasonable.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until September 22 for the filing of the no case submission and further proceedings in the trial.
