Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has been formally arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
The charges are based on comments El-Rufai made during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme on February 13, 2026.
According to the Department of State Services (DSS), El-Rufai admitted during the broadcast that he and others—who remain at large—illegally accessed the NSA’s phone communications. Authorities allege that this action compromised public safety, national security, and contributed to widespread fear among Nigerians.
Prosecutors contend that the former governor knowingly associated with individuals involved in the unauthorized interception and failed to report them to security agencies, in violation of Sections 12(1), 27(b), and other relevant provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, as well as Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The official charges, dated February 2026, allege that El-Rufai’s televised admissions constituted the unlawful use of technical equipment for unauthorized access to communications—an offense punishable under Nigerian law.
El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Esop Akpan, explained that his client received an invitation from the EFCC while he was abroad. Akpan described the demand for El-Rufai’s immediate appearance as “inherently illogical and impractical,” arguing that it failed to consider the logistics and fairness required for compliance from someone outside the country.
Akpan added that El-Rufai had been in communication with the EFCC since December 2025, assuring them of his willingness to cooperate. “Yesterday, we explicitly notified them that he would voluntarily appear at their office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, specifying the exact place and time for the meeting,” Akpan stated. He also criticized previous attempts to arrest El-Rufai as arbitrary actions that undermined due process and violated constitutional protections of fundamental rights.
The DSS prosecution team consists of Me Ernest, O.M. Owan Esq, U.M. Bulla Esq, C.S. Eze PhD, and E.G. Orubor Esq, all stationed at the DSS headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
