Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has suffered a setback in his legal battle over alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications after a court rejected his request to dismiss the case and ordered him to enter his defence.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order after dismissing a no-case submission filed by El-Rufai’s legal team.
The court held that the prosecution had presented sufficient prima facie evidence to require the former governor to respond to the allegations against him.
Court Orders El-Rufai to Present His Defence
The ruling means the case will proceed to the defence stage, where El-Rufai will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations brought against him.
His legal team had filed a no-case submission, seeking to have the case dismissed without requiring him to present a defence.
However, Justice Abdulmalik rejected the application, ruling that the evidence presented by the prosecution was sufficient to warrant a response from the former governor.
A no-case submission is an application asking a court to discharge a defendant without requiring a defence, usually on the grounds that the prosecution has failed to present sufficient evidence to establish a case requiring an answer.
By dismissing the application, the court has determined that El-Rufai must respond to the allegations rather than have the case terminated at this stage.
Alleged Telephone Interception Case Continues
The case centres on allegations of unlawful interception of telephone communications involving the former Kaduna State governor.
The court’s decision does not, in itself, amount to a finding of guilt. Rather, it means the proceedings will continue and El-Rufai will be required to address the allegations against him.
The former governor remains entitled to present his defence as the legal process moves forward.
Further developments in the case are expected as proceedings continue.