The Federal Government has instituted criminal proceedings against former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following remarks he made alleging that he and others listened to telephone conversations belonging to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The three-count charge, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, stems from statements El-Rufai reportedly made during a televised interview last week, in which he claimed that a third party had tapped Ribadu’s phone and that he and unnamed associates subsequently listened to the intercepted conversations.
The suit, brought by the Federal Government through the Department of State Services (DSS), lists the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the complainant and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai as the sole defendant.
According to court documents obtained on Monday, prosecutors allege that El-Rufai admitted during an appearance on Prime Time, a current affairs programme aired on Arise TV, that he and others unlawfully intercepted communications belonging to the NSA.
In the first count, the government contends that the former governor’s admission amounts to an offence under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, which criminalises the unlawful interception of electronic communications.
The second count alleges that El-Rufai acknowledged knowing and maintaining contact with an individual responsible for tapping the NSA’s phone but failed to report the matter to relevant security agencies.
Prosecutors argue that this omission violates Section 27(b) of the same Cybercrimes Act.
In the third count, the Federal Government accuses El-Rufai and others “still at large” of deploying technical equipment or systems that allegedly compromised public safety and national security.
The charge maintained that the unlawful interception of the NSA’s communications instilled apprehension and insecurity among members of the public.
This particular allegation is said to contravene Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, which prohibits unauthorised interference with telecommunications infrastructure and services.
During the televised interview, El-Rufai reportedly conceded that intercepting private communications without lawful authority is illegal but suggested that such practices are not uncommon.
His comments quickly generated controversy, prompting scrutiny from security agencies.
The filing of formal charges marks a significant escalation in the matter, setting the stage for what could become a high-profile legal contest involving a former state governor and a serving national security chief.
As of press time, neither El-Rufai nor his legal representatives had publicly responded to the charges. Court officials are expected to fix a date for arraignment in the coming days.
