By:

Jeremiah Aihumeken-Okhai

The Federal Government of Nigeria has filed a three-count criminal charge against Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, over allegations of unlawfully intercepting (tapping) phone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu. The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, were filed on February 16, 2026, by prosecutors from the Department of State Services (DSS). They quoted directly from the statements El-Rufai made during a live interview on Arise TV's Prime Time programme on February 13, 2026. During the interview session with  El-Rufai,  he claimed he was informed of an alleged plan by the National Security Adviser to have him arrested upon arrival at Abuja's airport, after "someone tapped" Ribadu's phone and shared details of the conversation. He described the tapping as illegal but suggested it is a common practice, including by government entities.

The Three-Count Charge is:

1. Interception of Ribadu's communications unlawfully, which was attributed to his statement on television, contrary to Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) as Amended, 2024.

2. Knowing individuals responsible for the interception but failing to report them to the relevant authorities, contrary to Section 27(b) of the same Act.

3. Using or being involved with technical means that compromised national security and public safety through the interception, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

No arraignment date has been scheduled yet, and El-Rufai has not issued a public response to the charges as of today.