The Federal Government has filed a three-count charge against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging unlawful interception of the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 and filed at the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, accuses El-Rufai, 65, of admitting during a television interview that he and unnamed associates intercepted the communications of the NSA. The alleged admission was said to have occurred on February 13, 2026, while he appeared as a guest on a prime-time programme on Arise TV.
In Count One, the prosecution alleges that the defendant’s statements during the broadcast amounted to an admission of unlawful interception, contrary to Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024. Count Two further claims that El-Rufai acknowledged knowing an individual involved in the alleged interception but failed to report the person to relevant security agencies, an act said to contravene Section 27(b) of the same legislation.
Count Three invokes Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, alleging that El-Rufai and others still at large used technical equipment or systems that compromised public safety and national security by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s communications. The charge asserts that such actions instilled reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians.
The case was dated February 16, 2026, and lists multiple counsel representing the prosecution on behalf of the Department of State Services (DSS), with an official court stamp indicating filing on the same date. As of press time, there was no official response from El-Rufai or his legal representatives regarding the allegations.
If proven, the charges could carry significant legal and political implications, given the sensitivity of national security communications and the stature of the individuals involved. The matter is expected to proceed to arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja in the coming days.
