DSS SLAMS THREE-COUNT CHARGE AGAINST EL-RUFAI OVER ALLEGED PHONE INTERCEPTION
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a three-count charge against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, at the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged unlawful interception of the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The charge, instituted in the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was filed before the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division. El-Rufai, 65, is listed as the sole defendant in the case.
According to court documents dated February 16, 2026, the prosecution alleged that El-Rufai, during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja on February 13, 2026, admitted to unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of Ribadu.
In the first count, the Federal Government alleged that the former governor admitted during the television interview that he and his associates unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser. The prosecution said the alleged act contravenes Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
The second count alleged that El-Rufai stated during the same interview that he knew and related with certain individuals who unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s phone communications but failed to report them to relevant security agencies. This, prosecutors argued, constitutes an offence under Section 27 of the Cybercrimes Act.
In the third count, the prosecution accused El-Rufai and others said to be at large of using technical equipment or systems to compromise public safety and national security by unlawfully intercepting the National Security Adviser’s communications.
The charge further alleged that the act instilled reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians and is punishable under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The legal team representing the prosecution includes M.E. Ernest, O.M. Owan, U.M. Bulla, C.S. Eze (PhD), and E.G. Orubor, listed as counsel to the prosecution from the Department of State Services, Abuja.
As of the time of filing this report, no date has been announced for El-Rufai’s arraignment, and there has been no official response from the former governor regarding the charges.
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