The Federal Government has filed charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged unlawful interception of the National Security Adviser’s phone communications.
Court documents, marked C2/99/2026 and dated February 16, 2026, list the Federal Republic of Nigeria as complainant and El-Rufai as defendant.
According to the prosecution, during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme in Abuja on February 13, 2026, El-Rufai admitted that he and others intercepted the phone of Nuhu Ribadu.
In count one, the government alleges that this admission constitutes an offence under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count two claims that
El-Rufai stated he knew and interacted with individuals involved in the interception but failed to report them to the relevant security agencies, contrary to Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act.
The third count alleges that El-Rufai and others, still at large, used technical equipment or systems in 2026 in Abuja to unlawfully intercept Ribadu’s communications, an act said to have compromised public safety and national security, in violation of Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
Further details are expected as the case progresses.
