The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a criminal charge against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over the alleged interception of a telephone conversation involving the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
The charge, filed by the Federal Government before the Federal High Court in Abuja, accuses El-Rufai of unlawfully accessing the private communications of the NSA and related offences under Nigeria’s cyber and communications laws.
According to court documents, the case stems from remarks made by El-Rufai during an appearance on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme, where he reportedly admitted that he had access to a recorded telephone conversation involving Ribadu.
In the first count, the government alleged that the admission amounts to an offence under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
The second count stated that El-Rufai acknowledged knowing individuals who allegedly carried out the unlawful interception but failed to report the matter to security agencies, contrary to provisions of the Cybercrimes Act.
In the third count, prosecutors alleged that El-Rufai and others still at large used technical equipment to intercept the NSA’s communications, an act said to have compromised public safety and national security, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The Federal Government further argued that the alleged actions could create public anxiety and undermine confidence in the country’s security architecture.
The controversy followed El-Rufai’s statement during the television interview that “someone tapped” Ribadu’s phone and that he listened to a conversation in which the NSA allegedly directed security operatives to arrest him.
As of the time of filing the charges, no date had been fixed for his arraignment.
The development marks a significant escalation in the dispute between the former governor and security authorities, with the case expected to draw political and legal attention in the coming weeks.
