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.

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has challenged former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to submit any evidence in his possession regarding the alleged procurement of thallium sulfate to the Department of State Services (DSS) for investigation.

El-Rufai had earlier accused the ONSA, under the leadership of Nuhu Ribadu, of acquiring approximately 10 kilograms of thallium sulfate—a highly toxic, colorless, and odorless substance capable of causing death in small doses—allegedly from a supplier in Poland. He demanded urgent clarification over the purported transaction.

In response, the ONSA denied the allegation, maintaining that it neither procured nor initiated any process to purchase the chemical and has no intention of doing so.

According to a letter dated February 13, 2026, and signed by Brigadier-General OM Adesuyi on behalf of the NSA, the office acknowledged receipt of El-Rufai’s correspondence dated February 11, 2026, in which he sought clarification over the alleged procurement.

“The correspondence further indicated that information concerning the purported procurement is reportedly available to the political opposition leadership,” the letter stated.

“In this regard, I am directed to respectfully convey that ONSA has neither procured nor initiated any process for the purchase of such material and has no intention of doing so.

“However, I am further directed to state that the allegation has been formally referred to the Department of State Services for a comprehensive investigation. Your Excellency and other parties involved, who may possess relevant information relating to this claim, will be duly invited by the Service to provide any evidence that may assist in an in-depth investigation, establishing the facts and ensuring due diligence.”

TheCable reported that an initial attempt to deliver the response letter to El-Rufai’s Abuja residence was unsuccessful after security operatives on duty declined to receive it, citing the absence of the head of security and uncertainty over the former governor’s return.

The letter was eventually delivered on Sunday, with the head of security signing and receiving it on El-Rufai’s behalf.

The ONSA concluded the correspondence by extending “the assurances of the esteemed regards of the National Security Adviser.”