Abuja — Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has filed criminal charges against former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of cybercrime and breaching national security laws.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, is scheduled for arraignment on February 25 before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The matter was assigned to her by the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho.
Allegations of Wiretapping
According to court documents filed by the DSS, El-Rufai allegedly admitted during a February 13 appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme that he and associates unlawfully intercepted telephone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The secret police accuse the former governor of violating provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, as well as the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
In one of the three counts, prosecutors allege that El-Rufai failed to report individuals involved in the alleged interception of the NSA’s phone lines. Another count claims he and others “still at large” used technical systems to compromise public safety and national security.
Legal Troubles Mount
The charges stem partly from statements El-Rufai reportedly made during the live television interview, where he claimed he overheard Ribadu directing security agencies to detain him. He linked the alleged directive to an attempted arrest at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12 following his return from Cairo, Egypt.
The development adds to the former governor’s mounting legal challenges. Earlier this week, El-Rufai was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over separate corruption allegations. Although he was granted administrative bail on Wednesday evening, he was subsequently taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Confirming the latest development, ICPC spokesperson John Odey said El-Rufai remains in the commission’s custody “in connection with ongoing investigations.”
The DSS case is expected to further intensify political and legal debates, as the high-profile proceedings unfold in the coming days.
