Nasir El‑Rufai remains in custody as Nigerian court rejects bail variation

The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, dismissed former Kaduna governor Nasir El‑Rufai’s request to modify the stringent bail conditions imposed in his alleged wire‑tapping case. The bail terms required sureties who are Level 17 civil servants owning property in the Maitama or Asokoro districts and verification letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council. The prosecution, represented by DSS counsel Oluwole Aladedoye, argued that qualified officials exist and the conditions are not impossible to meet.

On the same day the court heard that the Department of State Services (DSS) formally closed its case, stating no further witnesses would be called. El‑Rufai’s lawyer Paul Erokoro said the defence will file a no‑case submission, contending the prosecution has failed to present sufficient evidence. The trial centres on El‑Rufai’s February television interview in which he claimed to have intercepted a phone conversation involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, saying “we listened to the calls.”

Human‑rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju testified as the second prosecution witness; the court replayed the interview video, which he confirmed accurately reflected his observations. The judge adjourned the matter, scheduling a hearing on the no‑case submission for 22 September and further trial proceedings for 23 June.