The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Monday dismissed a no-case submission filed by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai in his trial over alleged unlawful interception of the telephone communications of the national security adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a ruling, held that the State Security Service had presented sufficient evidence to warrant calling on the ex-governor to enter his defence if he so desires.
The judge, therefore, ordered Mr El-Rufai, the sole defendant in the charge, to enter his defence.
The defendant had opted for a no-case submission after the SSS closed its case by calling two witnesses.
Mr El-Rufai, through his counsel, Akinyemi Aremu, had urged the court to hold that the prosecution had failed to establish a case requiring the former governor to enter a defence.
In response, the SSS lawyer, Oluwole Aladedoye, adopted their counter-affidavit in opposition to the no-case submission.
Mr Aladedoye argued that the defence failed to address Exhibit ‘B’, which the prosecution said contained Mr El-Rufai’s alleged admission about tapping Mr Ribadu’s phone.
He submitted that since the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Mr El-Rufai, the defendant was required by law to enter his defence.
(NAN)
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