The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday arraigned former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai before a Federal High Court in Abuja on an amended five-count charge bordering on the unlawful interception of telephone communications belonging to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
The charges, which were amended from an initial three-count filing, accuse the outspoken politician of violating key provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003. Court documents allege that during a live appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on February 13, 2026, el-Rufai openly admitted that he and his associates had accessed Ribadu’s private phone conversations. He reportedly claimed knowledge of individuals who carried out the interception and failed to report them to relevant security agencies.
According to the charge sheet, one count states that el-Rufai “did admit during the interview that you and your cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu,” an act punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes Act. Another count accuses him of failing to report the individuals involved, contravening Section 27(b) of the same law. The prosecution further alleges the use of technical equipment in a manner that compromised national security.
The case stems directly from el-Rufai’s fiery television interview, where he suggested that surveillance capabilities are not exclusive to the government and implied his team had monitored high-level communications. In excerpts widely circulated on social media, he stated that Ribadu had ordered his custody partly because “we listen to their calls” and that “someone tapped his phone and told me.”
El-Rufai’s arraignment, originally scheduled for late February, was repeatedly delayed after he failed to appear in court, with the DSS citing his detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over separate allegations of fund misappropriation during his tenure as governor and FCT Minister. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik had earlier rejected an oral bail application and fixed today’s date for the proceedings.
The development comes amid a series of legal battles for the former governor, who has emerged as a vocal critic of the current administration. Legal analysts describe the case as a significant test of Nigeria’s cybercrime laws and the boundaries of free speech versus national security imperatives.As proceedings unfold, el-Rufai’s legal team is expected to enter a plea, with the matter likely to dominate headlines in the coming weeks.
Truth Live News will continue to monitor the high-profile trial, which underscores the deepening rift between key figures in Nigeria’s security architecture. This report is based on court documents and statements from the DSS and media outlets covering the proceedings.
