The Department of State Services has filed criminal charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged cyber offences and threats to national security.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria, the former governor is scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on February 25.
The case was assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik by the Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Tsoho, who approved the arraignment date.
Court documents show that the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, was filed by the DSS, Nigeria’s secret police.
The security agency accused El-Rufai of unlawfully intercepting telephone conversations belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The DSS stated that on February 13, while appearing on Prime Time on Arise TV in Abuja, El-Rufai allegedly admitted that he and some associates intercepted the NSA’s phone communications.
The agency said this action violates Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
In the second charge, the former governor was accused of admitting during the same interview that he knew someone who carried out the unlawful interception but failed to inform security authorities.
The DSS said this offence is punishable under Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
The third count alleged that El-Rufai and others still at large used technical systems in Abuja in 2026 to intercept the NSA’s communications in a way that threatened public safety and national security.
This count was said to be contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
During the television interview, El-Rufai had claimed that he overheard Ribadu instructing security agents to detain him.
He linked this to what he described as an attempt to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12 after returning from Cairo, Egypt.
The fresh charges add to the former governor’s legal troubles. He was earlier taken into custody by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged corruption matters.
Although he was granted administrative bail around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, reports said he was immediately taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Confirming his detention, ICPC spokesperson John Odey informed journalists through a WhatsApp message that El-Rufai is currently in the commission’s custody in connection with ongoing investigations.
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