Photo:Nasir El-Rufai
By: Daniel Kanu
Nigeria Government has instituted criminal proceedings against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations that he admitted to unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
The three-count charge, filed by the Federal Government through the Department of State Services (DSS), was brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja today, Monday, February 16, 2026.
The charges stem from comments allegedly made by El-Rufai during an appearance on Prime Time, a programme on Arise TV, on February 13, 2026.
According to court documents obtained by journalists, the prosecution claimed that the former governor admitted during the interview that he and unnamed associates listened to conversations from Ribadu’s phone after it had been tapped by a third party.
Although El-Rufai reportedly acknowledged that such interception was unlawful, he was said to have suggested that illegal surveillance was not uncommon.
Count One alleges that El-Rufai admitted on live television to unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications, an offence said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count Two accuses him of stating during the same interview that he knew and associated with individuals who carried out the alleged interception without reporting them to relevant security agencies, contrary to Section 27(b) of the same Act.
Count Three further alleges that El-Rufai and others still at large used technical equipment or systems to compromise public safety and national security by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s communications.
This count is said to contravene Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
Legal analysts note that the case raises significant questions about national security, freedom of speech, and the limits of political commentary. Conviction under the cited provisions could attract fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the court’s interpretation of the alleged admission and the evidence presented.
The arraignment also comes amid heightened political tensions, with some opposition figures describing the prosecution as politically motivated.
However, government sources insist the action is strictly a matter of national security and enforcement of cybercrime laws.
As of press time, El-Rufai had yet to formally enter a plea, and no date had been announced for the commencement of trial proceedings.
The case is expected to test the scope of Nigeria’s cybercrime and communications laws, particularly regarding admissions made in public broadcasts and the legal consequences of failing to report alleged criminal activity.
