The Federal Government has formally filed a three-count criminal charge against former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for allegedly intercepting and accessing private phone communications of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
The dramatic development follows El-Rufai’s explosive February 13, 2026 appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time, where he publicly stated that intercepted conversations from Ribadu’s phone revealed an alleged plot to arrest him upon arrival in Nigeria.
Key Details of the Charges
Court documents (marked C2/99/2026 or TABU/DET/CR/99/2026), filed today at the Federal High Court, Abuja via the Department of State Services (DSS), accuse El-Rufai (sole named defendant) and unnamed accomplices “at large” of:
- Unlawful interception of electronic communications — contrary to Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
- Knowledge of unlawful interception without reporting it to authorities violating Section 27(b) of the same Cybercrimes Act.
- Endangering public safety and national security through use of technical interception equipment, creating “reasonable apprehension” among citizens breaching Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
Prosecutors argue El-Rufai’s televised admission amounts to confessing complicity in a serious national security breach.
What Sparked the Case?During the Arise TV interview, El-Rufai claimed:
“Someone tapped his [Ribadu’s] phone and told us that he gave the order [to arrest me]. The government thinks they are the only ones who listen to our calls without court orders… but we also have our ways.”
The statement triggered immediate outrage from the Presidency, security experts, lawyers, and civil society, who described it as an alarming confession to illegal surveillance at the highest levels.
Current Status & What’s Next
- Charges were filed February 16, 2026.
- Arraignment is expected imminently at the Abuja Federal High Court.
- No arrest confirmed yet, but the case has intensified political friction between opposition figures and the Tinubu administration.
This high-stakes legal battle highlights Nigeria’s ongoing debates around surveillance, privacy, executive power, and opposition accountability. We’ll continue tracking court proceedings and any responses from El-Rufai or his legal team. Bookmark for updates.
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