There plans to arraign former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Abuja over allegations that he unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Court documents dated February 16, 2026, indicate that El-Rufai is facing a three-count charge.
In the first count, the former governor was accused of admitting during a February 13 appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time program that he and his associates intercepted the NSA’s communications, an act said to contravene Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
The second count alleges that El-Rufai knowingly associated with individuals involved in the unlawful interception without reporting them to relevant security agencies, contrary to Section 27(b) of the same Act.
The third charge accuses him of deploying technical devices or systems in a manner that allegedly undermined public safety and national security by intercepting the NSA’s communications, an offense under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
The charges were instituted by legal representatives of the Department of State Services, including M.E. Ernest, O.M. Owan, U.M. Bulla, C.S. Eze, and E.G. Orubor.
The court is expected to commence proceedings in the matter in the coming days as the government advances its prosecution of the former governor.
