By Vivian Okejeme
Former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has indicated interest to file a no-case submission in the ongoing trial on alleged Wiretapping brought against him by the federal government.
This is coming as the Plaintiff, Department of State Services(DSS) closed its case against him at the federal high court, Abuja.
At the resumed hearing on prosecuting, Tuesday, counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the prosecution would not be calling further witnesses in the matter, prompting the formal closure of the DSS case.
Consequently, the defence counsel, Paul Erokoro, told the court that the defence intends to file a no-case submission.
Erokoro maintained that the prosecution has failed to establish sufficient evidence against the former governor.
The defence subsequently sought two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution requested two weeks to respond.
Also, the defence applied for a variation of some of the bail conditions earlier granted to El-Rufai, describing them as stringent and difficult to meet.
He argued that the bail terms were too stringent, particularly the requirements for level 17 civil servants with properties in Maitama or Asokoro, as well as verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna state traditional council.
However, the prosecution opposed the request, insisting that qualified public officers who meet the conditions exist and urging the court to refuse the application.
On the bench ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined the request to vary the bail conditions, ruling that there are civil servants who owns properties at the said location.
The matter is adjourned to the 22nd of September for the filing of the no-case submission and continuation of trial.
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