The Department of State Services (DSS) will arraign former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on February 25 over alleged cybercrime and breach of national security. The case, filed under FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, was assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court by Chief Judge John Tsoho.
El-Rufai faces a three-count criminal charge following his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. The DSS accused him of violating the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
The first count alleges that during a February 13 interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme, El-Rufai admitted to unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications, a violation punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes Act. The second count claims he knew of another individual involved in the interception but failed to report it to relevant authorities, contrary to Section 27(b) of the same Act.
Count three accuses El-Rufai and others still at large of using technical equipment in 2026 to compromise public safety and national security by intercepting the NSA’s communications, constituting an offense under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003. DSS stated that the ex-governor’s admission during the TV interview confirms the alleged offenses.
Earlier, El-Rufai claimed in the interview that he overheard the NSA directing security operatives to detain him, linking the alleged order to an attempted arrest at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12 after returning from Cairo, Egypt. He was previously detained by the EFCC over corruption allegations and later transferred into ICPC custody for ongoing investigations.