The Federal Government has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, over allegations bordering on the unlawful interception of the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
According to court filings, El-Rufai, 65, allegedly made the disclosure during an appearance on Prime Time on February 13, 2026. During the televised interview, he was said to have admitted involvement in the interception of the NSA’s communications and acknowledged that he was aware of those responsible for carrying out the act but did not alert security authorities.
The charge sheet, marked TABU DET CR/99/2026, contains three counts.
In Count One, the prosecution alleges that the former governor confessed on air that he and unnamed associates unlawfully intercepted the communications of the NSA, an offence said to contravene Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count Two accuses him of failing to report individuals he allegedly knew were behind the interception, an omission the government claims violates Section 27(b) of the same legislation.
The third count alleges that El-Rufai deployed technical systems in a manner that compromised public safety and national security, thereby creating widespread apprehension, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The case was instituted by a team of Federal Government counsel led by M.E. Ernest, alongside O.M. Owan, U.M. Bulla, C.S. Eze and V.E.G. Orubor.
Authorities maintain that the matter properly falls within the jurisdiction of the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, where El-Rufai is expected to take his plea in response to the charges.
