“DSS TO TAKE EL-RUFAI TO COURT: FORMER GOVERNOR FACES CYBERCRIME CHARGES”
GREATRIBUNETVNEWS–THE Department of State Services (DSS) will arraign former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on February 25 before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged cybercrime and breach of national security.
Key Issues:
– _”The DSS alleged that El-Rufai, on February 13, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, admitted during the interview that he and others unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA.”_
– Unlawful Interception: El-Rufai accused of intercepting National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu’s phone lines.
– _”El-Rufai was accused of stating during the same television interview that he knew and related with an individual who unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s phone communications without reporting the person to relevant security agencies.”_
– Cybercrime Charges: El-Rufai faces three-count charge under Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
– _”The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.”_
The secret police alleged that El-Rufai’s actions contravened provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
In the first count, the DSS alleged that the former governor, on February 13, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, admitted during the interview that he and others unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, an offence said to be contrary to, and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
In count two, El-Rufai was accused of stating during the same television interview that he knew and related with an individual who unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s phone communications without reporting the person to relevant security agencies.
The DSS said the alleged offence is punishable under Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
El-Rufai had, during the live Arise TV interview, claimed that he overheard Ribadu directing security operatives to detain him linking the alleged directive to what he described as an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12 upon his return from Cairo, Egypt.
The former governor was later granted administrative bail at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday, after being detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for questioning in an alleged N432bn fraud case.
However, he was reportedly taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission shortly after his release.
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