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The Department of State Services (DSS) is set to arraign former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on February 25 over alleged cybercrime offences and breach of national security.
The case, filed before the Federal High Court (FHC), was assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik by the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho. The three-count criminal charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, stems from allegations that El-Rufai unlawfully intercepted communications belonging to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
According to court documents, the DSS accuses the former governor of violating provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, as well as the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
In the first count, El-Rufai is alleged to have admitted during a February 13 appearance on ARISE TV’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja that he and unnamed associates intercepted the telephone communications of the NSA. The offence is said to be contrary to Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2024.
The second count alleges that during the same interview, El-Rufai stated he was aware of, and had contact with, an individual who unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s communications but failed to report the matter to the appropriate security agencies. This allegation is said to contravene Section 27(b) of the amended Cybercrimes Act.
The third count accuses El-Rufai and others still at large of deploying technical equipment or systems in 2026 within Abuja to compromise public safety and national security by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s communications. The DSS maintains that the alleged act, which the former governor reportedly referenced during the televised interview, is punishable under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The charges follow El-Rufai’s claim during the live television interview that he overheard Ribadu directing security operatives to detain him. He linked the alleged directive to an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12, shortly after his return from Cairo, Egypt.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai was earlier detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday over separate corruption allegations. He was granted administrative bail at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
However, shortly after his release, he was reportedly taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Confirming the development via a message shared on a journalists’ WhatsApp group, ICPC spokesperson John Odey stated: “Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the commission in connection with ongoing investigations.”
