Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai is set to be arraigned on February 25 by the Department of State Services over allegations of cybercrime and threats to national security.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the arraignment date was fixed by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, following the assignment of the case by the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho.
The DSS filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, alleges violations of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, punishable under Section 12(1) of the amended cybercrimes law.
The development follows El-Rufai’s detention earlier on Wednesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over separate corruption allegations, after which he was granted administrative bail at about 8 p.m.
He was subsequently taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Confirming his detention, ICPC spokesperson John Odey said El-Rufai is currently in the commission’s custody in connection with ongoing investigations.
