The Department of State Services (DSS) is set to arraign former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on February 25 over alleged cybercrime and breach of national security, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court fixed the date for the arraignment after the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, assigned the case to her.
According to NAN, the DSS filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai on Monday, accusing him of involvement in the alleged wiretapping of the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, alleges violations of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
Alleged Admission On Live TV
The secret police told the court that on February 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, El-Rufai allegedly admitted during the interview that he and his associates unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA.
The offence, according to the DSS, is contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
In count two, the former governor was accused of stating during the same interview that he knew and related with an individual who unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s phone communications but failed to report the matter to relevant security agencies. The offence is said to be punishable under Section 27(b) of the amended Cybercrimes Act.
Count three further alleged that El-Rufai and others still at large used technical equipment or systems in Abuja in 2026 that compromised public safety and national security by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s communications, thereby instilling apprehension among Nigerians. The DSS said the act contravenes Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
Airport Drama And Detention
NAN recalled that during the live television interview, El-Rufai claimed he overheard Ribadu directing security operatives to detain him. He linked the alleged directive to an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12 after returning from Cairo, Egypt.
The development comes amid his ongoing legal battles. The former governor was earlier detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday over separate corruption allegations.
Although he was granted administrative bail at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday, he was reportedly immediately taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Confirming the development, the ICPC spokesperson, John Odey, said in a message shared on a journalists’ WhatsApp group: “Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the commission in connection with ongoing investigations.”
Further proceedings in the DSS case are expected to commence at the Federal High Court in Abuja on February 25.