The federal government will arraign former Kaduna State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on alleged cybercrime and breach of national security, the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, announced. The arraignment is scheduled for February 25, 2026 before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, assigned by Chief Judge of the FHC, Justice John Tsoho.
The Department of State Services (DSS) filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai on Monday, following his public admission of wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, also comes amid El-Rufai’s appearance before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corruption and fraud totaling over N440 billion during his tenure as governor between 2015 and 2023.
Count One alleges that on February 13, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV’s ‘Prime Time’, El-Rufai admitted to unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications. The DSS cited Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024, under which the offence is punishable.
Count Two accuses him of knowing individuals who illegally intercepted the NSA’s communications without reporting them to relevant security agencies, also during the same interview. This is said to contravene Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2024.
Count Three alleges that El-Rufai, alongside others “still at large,” used technical systems in 2026 to compromise public safety and national security, instilling apprehension among Nigerians by intercepting the NSA’s communications. This offence is punishable under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
During the live interview on Arise News Channel, El-Rufai claimed he overheard Ribadu allegedly directing security operatives to detain him, linking the purported directive to an attempted arrest at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12, following his return from Cairo, Egypt.
El-Rufai had been detained by the EFCC from Monday morning until Wednesday evening for questioning. Following his release, he was immediately taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in connection with ongoing investigations into alleged corruption during his governorship.
