The Federal Government has initiated criminal proceedings against former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai over allegations linked to unlawful interception of phone communications.
Court records show the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, was filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, listing the Federal Republic of Nigeria as complainant and El-Rufai as the sole defendant.
According to the charge sheet, prosecutors alleged that during a televised interview on Arise TV, the former governor admitted involvement with individuals who intercepted communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
In the first count, the government contends that the alleged admission constitutes an offence under provisions of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act, 2024, relating to unlawful interception of communications.
The second count claims that El-Rufai acknowledged knowing persons responsible for the alleged interception but failed to notify security authorities, an omission prosecutors say violates statutory reporting obligations.
Prosecutors further alleged in a third count that El-Rufai and unnamed collaborators unlawfully deployed technical systems in 2026 within the capital to intercept the adviser’s communications, an act they argue endangered public safety and national security under the Nigerian Communications Act.
Legal filings state that each charge is punishable under the relevant cybercrime and communications statutes cited by the prosecution.
Court officials indicated that, as of the time of filing, no arraignment date had yet been scheduled for the former governor.
