The Federal Government has fixed February 25 for the arraignment of former Kaduna State governor and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged cybercrime offences and actions said to have threatened national security.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik will preside over the proceedings following the assignment of the case by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho.
The Department of State Services (DSS) filed a three-count criminal charge against the former governor on Monday, accusing him of violating provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The charges stem from statements allegedly made by El-Rufai during a February 13 appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme in Abuja, where he reportedly claimed involvement in, or knowledge of, the interception of telephone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
According to court documents marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, the DSS alleged that the former governor admitted during the interview that he and unnamed associates unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s communications, an act said to contravene Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes Act.
In a second count, prosecutors claimed El-Rufai acknowledged maintaining contact with individuals allegedly involved in the unlawful interception of the NSA’s phone lines but failed to report them to security authorities. The offence is said to violate Section 27(b) of the same law.
The third count accuses the former governor and others described as “still at large” of deploying technical systems in Abuja in 2026 to intercept communications in a manner that compromised public safety and national security, thereby creating fear and insecurity among citizens. The DSS said the alleged conduct is punishable under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act.
El-Rufai had during the television interview claimed he overheard the NSA instructing security operatives to detain him, linking the alleged directive to what he described as an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12 after returning from Cairo, Egypt.
The filing of the DSS charge coincided with his appearance before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is investigating allegations of corruption and fraud amounting to over N440 billion during his tenure as Kaduna State governor between 2015 and 2023.
He was detained by the anti-graft agency from Monday until Wednesday evening for questioning. Shortly after his release, officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) reportedly took him into custody in connection with separate ongoing investigations.
