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Court Orders El-Rufai To Enter Defence In Alleged Wiretapping Trial
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a no-case submission by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and ordered him to enter his defence, if he so desires, in his ongoing trial over the alleged unlawful interception of the telephone communications of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order on Monday while ruling on the no-case submission filed by El-Rufai.
The judge held that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to warrant calling on the former governor to enter his defence.
The ruling means El-Rufai has been given the opportunity to respond to the allegations against him as the trial progresses.
In a related development, an FCT High Court presided over by Justice Sylvanus Oriji had, a week earlier, dismissed El-Rufai’s ₦120 million fundamental rights suit against the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The court held that the agencies’ actions, including invitations, an attempted arrest at the airport and the seizure of his passport, did not violate his fundamental rights. It also awarded costs of ₦200,000 against each respondent.
El-Rufai is also facing other ongoing cases, including corruption and money laundering matters linked to the ICPC in Kaduna.
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