A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a no-case submission filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, in his trial over alleged unlawful interception of telephone conversations involving National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled on Monday that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to require el-Rufai to enter his defence.

The former governor is facing a five-count amended charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The charges followed his claim during a February 2026 interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme that someone had wiretapped Ribadu’s phone, enabling him to listen to the NSA discussing plans to have him arrested.

The Federal Government closed its case after presenting two witnesses, prompting el-Rufai to file a no-case submission seeking his discharge and acquittal.

His counsel, Paul Erokoro, argued that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against his client.

However, prosecuting counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, urged the court to dismiss the application, maintaining that the oral and documentary evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a defence.

The judge upheld the prosecution’s position and adjourned the case until November 25 for el-Rufai to open his defence.