The Federal Government has filed a three-count cybercrime charge against former Federal Capital Territory Minister and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The charges follow El-Rufai’s recent television interview, in which he reportedly admitted to accessing the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The first count alleges that his comments violate Section 12(1) of the Cybercrime Act Amendment, 2024. The second count states that maintaining contact with an individual who unlawfully accessed the NSA’s phone calls, without reporting it to security agencies, constitutes an offense under Section 27 of the Cybercrime Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2024 (as amended).
The third count charges that El-Rufai and other persons still at large used technical equipment or systems to intercept the NSA’s calls, thereby compromising public safety, national security, and creating reasonable apprehension of insecurity, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act.
No date has yet been set for his arraignment.
