The Federal Government has filed a three-count charge against the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting the telephone communication of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The charges were instituted before the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Department of State Services on behalf of the government.
The Charges read:
IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF NIGERIA
IN THE ABUJA JUDICIAL DIVISION
HOLDEN AT ABUJA
CHARGE NO: FHC/ABJ/CR/_/2026
BETWEEN
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
… COMPLAINANT
AND
MALLAM NASIR EL-RUFAI (Male, 65 years)
… DEFENDANT
STATEMENT OF OFFENCE
COUNT ONE
Unlawful interception of telephone communication, contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, adult male, on or about 13th February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on ARISE TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did admit during the interview that you and your cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
COUNT TWO
Failure to report knowledge of unlawful interception of communication, contrary to and punishable under Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, adult male, on or about 13th February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on ARISE TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did state during the interview that you know and relate with certain individuals who unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, without reporting the said individuals to relevant security agencies, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.
COUNT THREE
Use of technical equipment to compromise national security, contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, adult male, and others still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety and national security and instilled reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, which you admitted during an interview on 13th February, 2026 on ARISE TV Station’s Prime Time Programme, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
DATED THIS …… DAY OF …………… 2026
FOR SERVICE ON THE DEFENDANT:
M.E. Ernest, Esq
O.M. Owan, Esq
U.M. Bulla, Esq
C.S. Eze, PhD
E.G. Orubor, Esq
Counsel to the Prosecution,
Department of State Services,
No. 1 Maitama Avenue,
Aso Drive, Abuja.
Tel: 09046898438
