The Federal Government of Nigeria don file three-count charge against former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged illegal interception of phone communications belonging to Nigeria National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The charge follow recent interview wey El-Rufai grant Arise TV, where he claim say him and some other people listen to conversations from Ribadu phone after third party allegedly tap am. Though he admit say such act dey unlawful, El-Rufai still argue say illegal surveillance no be strange thing.
But the Federal Government, through the Department of State Services, take the matter go Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.
According to charge sheet wey Channels Television obtain, government say El-Rufai openly admit during the interview say him and others intercept the NSA phone communications.
For Count One, government allege say on February 13, 2026, El-Rufai confess during Arise TV Prime Time programme say him unlawfully intercept phone calls of the NSA, offence wey contravene Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count Two accuse am say he admit knowing people wey intercept Ribadu phone but fail to report them to security agencies, offence under Section 27(b) of the same Cybercrimes Act.
For Count Three, government allege say El-Rufai and others still at large use technical devices to unlawfully intercept NSA phone communications, act wey compromise national security and create fear among Nigerians. This offence dey punishable under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The case don further increase tension around El-Rufai, wey already dey face invitations from anti-graft agencies and series of political controversies.
As at time of filing this report, El-Rufai never formally respond to the fresh court charges.
