Former Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has failed in his attempt to secure a modification of the bail conditions earlier imposed on him by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik dismissed the application seeking a review of the bail terms, maintaining that the conditions remain valid.
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El-Rufai’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro, had urged the court to relax some of the requirements, arguing that they were excessively strict and difficult to satisfy.
According to the defence, the requirement that sureties must be Level 17 civil servants who own verifiable property in Abuja’s Maitama or Asokoro districts was particularly burdensome. The defence also objected to the condition requiring verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna State Traditional Council.
However, counsel to the prosecution, Oluwole Aladedoye, opposed the request, insisting that qualified individuals capable of meeting the conditions were available and urging the court to refuse the application.
In her decision, Justice Abdulmalik held that public officers meeting the stipulated criteria do exist and therefore declined to alter the bail conditions.
DSS Ends Prosecution Case
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) formally closed its case against El-Rufai in the ongoing wiretapping trial.
Addressing the court, Aladedoye informed the judge that the prosecution would not be presenting any additional witnesses, effectively bringing its case to a close.
Following the announcement, Erokoro disclosed that the defence plans to file a no-case submission, contending that the prosecution has not produced sufficient evidence to warrant El-Rufai entering a defence.
The defence requested two weeks to prepare and file the application, while the prosecution sought the same period to respond.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until September 22 for the hearing of the no-case submission and further proceedings in the case.
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