The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, seeking a review of the bail conditions imposed on him in his ongoing alleged wiretapping trial.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the court held that the existing bail conditions remain appropriate, rejecting the defence’s argument that they were excessively stringent and difficult to fulfil.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that level 17 civil servants who own landed property in Maitama or Asokoro, as stipulated in the bail conditions, are available and capable of standing as sureties.
El-Rufai’s counsel, Paul Erokoro, had urged the court to vary the conditions, particularly the requirement that his sureties must be level 17 civil servants with landed properties in Maitama or Asokoro, in addition to providing verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council.
Opposing the application, counsel for the State Security Services (SSS), Oluwole Aladedoye, argued that qualified public officers who satisfy the court’s requirements are readily available and urged the court to dismiss the request.
Meanwhile, the SSS formally closed its case against El-Rufai during Tuesday’s proceedings after informing the court that it would not be calling any additional witnesses.
Following the close of the prosecution’s case, the defence indicated its intention to file a no-case submission, maintaining that the prosecution had failed to establish sufficient evidence requiring El-Rufai to enter a defence.
The defence sought two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution requested an additional two weeks to respond.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until September 22 for the filing of the no-case submission and further proceedings.