The Department of State Services (DSS) is set to arraign former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on February 25 over alleged cybercrime and threats to national security.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court (FHC) fixed the date after Chief Judge John Tsoho assigned the case to her.
The DSS had filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai on Monday, following allegations that he was involved in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Ngpfvuhu Ribadu. The case is listed as FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026.
The ex-governor is accused of violating the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
Count One alleges that on February 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, El-Rufai admitted that he and his associates unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s phone communications. This is said to violate Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes Act.
Count Two claims that during the same interview, El-Rufai acknowledged knowing individuals who unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s communications but failed to report them to the relevant authorities. This is contrary to Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes Act.
Count Three states that El-Rufai and others still at large, at some point in 2026, used technical equipment or systems to compromise public safety and national security, creating apprehension among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s communications. This offence falls under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
RBN earlier reported that El-Rufai, during the live interview, also claimed he overheard the NSA instructing security operatives to detain him, linking it to an attempted arrest at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12, following his return from Cairo, Egypt.
Separately, El-Rufai was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday over corruption allegations.
He was granted administrative bail around 8 p.m. on Wednesday but was immediately taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
ICPC spokesperson John Odey confirmed the development, stating: “Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the commission in connection with ongoing investigations.”
Meanwhile, the commission on Thursday conducted a search on the residence of the former governor.
Reacting on social media, El-Rufai’s media aide Muyiwa Adekeye, said the governor’s lawyer Ubong Akpan, condemned the action, describing it as “unlawful, and a clear violation of legal procedures and fundamental rights.”