The Federal Government has arraigned former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of unlawful interception of telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
According to charge sheet seen by Pilot News, the former governor was brought before the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court on a three-count charge bordering on alleged violations of Nigeria’s cybercrime and telecommunications laws.
The case is being prosecuted by the Federal Government through a legal team led by M. E. Ernest, alongside O. M. Owan, U. M. Bulla, C. S. Eze and V. E. G. Orubor.
The charges stem from comments reportedly made by El-Rufai, 65, during an appearance on Prime Time on Arise TV on 13 February 2026.
In the televised interview, he was said to have admitted involvement in intercepting the National Security Adviser’s phone communications. He was also said to have acknowledged knowing individuals who carried out the act, but failing to report them to the relevant security agencies.
Court documents filed under suit number TABU/DET/CR/99/2026 outline three counts against the former governor.
Count One alleges that El-Rufai admitted during the televised interview that he and his associates unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, an offence contrary to Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count Two accuses him of admitting that he knew individuals who carried out the unlawful interception but failed to report them, in violation of Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count Three alleges that he deployed technical systems in a manner that compromised public safety and national security and instilled fear among members of the public, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
Officials familiar with the matter said the alleged offences are serious because they directly affect national security and the privacy of communications of senior government officials.
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