Court Rejects El-Rufai’s Bail Review as DSS Closes Case

A 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, who presided over the matter on Tuesday, declined the request by the defence to vary the bail terms, ruling that qualified sureties were available to meet the conditions already imposed by the court.

El-Rufai’s legal team had argued that the bail requirements were stringent, noting that the sureties must be Level 17 civil servants with properties in Abuja’s Maitama or Asokoro districts, in addition to providing attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council.

During the proceedings, the Department of State Services (DSS) formally closed its case.

Prosecuting counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the agency would not be calling any additional witnesses.

In response, defence counsel Paul Erokoro announced plans to file a no-case submission, contending that the prosecution had failed to establish sufficient evidence to warrant El-Rufai entering a defence.

Justice Abdulmalik granted both parties two weeks to file the necessary processes and adjourned the case until September 22, 2026, for the hearing of the no-case submission and continuation of the trial.