The Federal Government has filed formal charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations of illegally intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The case, registered as FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, was filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, with the Federal Republic of Nigeria as complainant and El-Rufai as defendant.
According to court documents, El-Rufai, while appearing on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme in Abuja on February 13, 2026, admitted that he and others unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s communications.
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The charges against him include:
Count One: Admission of unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone calls, punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count Two: Knowledge of others involved in the interceptions but failing to report them, contrary to Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act, 2024.
Count Three: Use of technical systems to intercept communications, an act said to have compromised public safety and national security, in violation of Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
As of now, no date has been set for El-Rufai’s arraignment. The charges have generated public attention, with many Nigerians calling for a thorough investigation and strict prosecution.
The Federal High Court is expected to provide updates as the case progresses.
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