Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai shared an affectionate moment with his wife outside the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, shortly before proceedings continued in his alleged wiretapping case.
A video circulating on social media shows El-Rufai embracing and kissing his wife as lawyers and supporters gathered at the court premises.
The moment attracted attention as the former governor faced a significant development in his ongoing legal battle over the alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications linked to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Court Dismisses El-Rufai’s No-Case Submission
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed El-Rufai’s no-case submission on Monday, October 26, 2026.
The judge held that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to require the former governor to enter his defence if he wished to do so.
El-Rufai had filed the application after the Department of State Services (DSS), which is prosecuting the case, concluded its presentation of evidence through two witnesses.
His defence team argued that the prosecution had failed to establish a sufficient case against him to warrant requiring him to respond to the allegations.
However, the prosecution urged the court to reject the application, maintaining that the evidence presented justified continuing the trial.
Trial Adjourned Until November 25
Following the ruling, the court directed El-Rufai to open his defence and adjourned the case until November 25, 2026.
The former governor is the sole defendant in the five-count amended charge filed by the DSS over the alleged interception of telephone communications involving Ribadu.
The prosecution has relied partly on statements attributed to El-Rufai during a February 2026 interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme.
El-Rufai has denied the allegations and has the opportunity to present his defence as the proceedings continue.
Court Ruling Does Not Amount to Conviction
The dismissal of a no-case submission is a procedural decision allowing a trial to proceed to the defence stage. It is not a final determination of guilt.
The court will have to consider the evidence and arguments presented during the proceedings before reaching a final decision in the case.
For now, attention remains on the next hearing, when El-Rufai is expected to respond to the prosecution’s case.
The video of his affectionate exchange with his wife has also attracted attention online, providing a personal moment amid the legal proceedings.
Next hearing: November 25, 2026.
Case: Alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Sources: Daily Post Nigeria, The Punch and The Guardian Nigeria.
