Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai shared a tender public kiss with his wife during his appearance at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, October 26, 2026, in connection with his ongoing alleged wiretapping trial.
A video circulated by Channels Television captures the moment inside the courtroom. El-Rufai, dressed in white traditional attire, approaches his wife (seen in a pink-and-white patterned outfit with a headscarf and sunglasses). They exchange a kiss amid the proceedings before sitting together in the gallery as lawyers and others look on.
The appearance came as Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled on El-Rufai’s no-case submission in the Department of State Services (DSS) case. The court dismissed the submission—finding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case—and adjourned proceedings until November 25, 2026, for the former governor to open his defence.
El-Rufai faces an amended five-count charge over alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The charges stem from comments he made during a February 2026 Arise TV interview in which he referenced an intercepted conversation. He has pleaded not guilty. The DSS closed its case earlier after calling witnesses (including a DSS operative and lawyer Deji Adeyanju) and presenting electronic evidence, including the interview recording.
This is one of several legal matters involving the former governor. He remains in ICPC custody in separate corruption-related cases tied to his time as Kaduna State governor (2015–2023), including allegations of financial misconduct, and has pursued fundamental rights suits over family access and other issues. Recent related developments include a Federal High Court order for selected CCTV footage in his N10 billion suit against the ICPC over restricted family visits, and the dismissal of a separate N120 million rights suit against the DSS, EFCC, ICPC and others.
The viral courtroom moment has drawn attention online as a rare display of personal affection amid El-Rufai’s protracted legal battles.
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