The Department of State Services (DSS) has instituted criminal proceedings against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged cybercrime offences and actions said to threaten national security.
Court filings show that the ex-governor is to be arraigned on February 25 before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The case was assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik by the Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Tsoho.
In the three-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, the DSS accused El-Rufai of unlawfully intercepting the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
According to the security agency, El-Rufai allegedly admitted during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme on February 13 that he and unnamed associates intercepted the NSA’s phone conversations. The DSS argued that the alleged conduct contravenes Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
In a separate count, the prosecution claimed that the former governor acknowledged knowing an individual who unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s communications but failed to notify relevant authorities. That allegation is said to be punishable under Section 27(b) of the same Act.
The third charge alleges that El-Rufai and others still at large, sometime in 2026 in Abuja, deployed technical equipment or systems to intercept the NSA’s communications in a manner that compromised public safety and national security. The offence is said to be contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
During the televised interview referenced in the charge, El-Rufai claimed he overheard Ribadu instructing security operatives to detain him. He linked the alleged directive to what he described as an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12, shortly after returning from Cairo, Egypt.
The new charges come amid mounting legal challenges for the former governor. He was previously detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corruption-related offences.
Although he was granted administrative bail around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, he was reportedly taken into custody immediately by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Confirming the latest development, ICPC spokesperson John Odey stated in a message circulated to journalists that “Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the commission in connection with ongoing investigations.”
