The Nigerian authorities have filed criminal charges against former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations that he unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
The charges, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accuse El-Rufai, 65, of cybercrime-related offences allegedly committed during a televised interview on Arise TV on February 13, 2026.
According to the charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, prosecutors allege that El-Rufai admitted during the interview that he and others unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s phone communications, an act they say compromised public safety and national security and caused “reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians.”
In count one, the Federal Republic of Nigeria alleges that El-Rufai’s admission during Arise TV’s Prime Time programme amounted to an offence punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count Two accuses the former governor of failing to report individuals he allegedly knew to be involved in the unlawful interception of the NSA’s communications to relevant security agencies. Prosecutors say this omission constitutes an offence under Section 27 of the same law.
In Count Three, the prosecution further alleges that El-Rufai and others still at large used technical equipment or systems to unlawfully intercept Ribadu’s phone communications, thereby endangering national security. This count cites Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The document states that the alleged offences occurred in Abuja and fall within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
The charges were signed by a team of prosecutors listed as M.E. Ernest, O.M. Owan, U.M. Bulla, C.S. Eze, and E.G. Orubor, all identified as counsel to the prosecution from the Department of State Services (DSS). The charge was dated February 16, 2026, and marked for service on the defendant.
As of the time of filing, El-Rufai has not publicly responded to the charges. It remains unclear when he will be formally arraigned.
