The Federal Government has filed criminal charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over the alleged interception of the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The charges were filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, lists the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the complainant and El-Rufai as the defendant.
According to court documents, the charges are linked to statements allegedly made by El-Rufai during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time program on February 13, 2026, in Abuja.
As of the time of filing this report, no date has been fixed for his arraignment.
In the court filings, the prosecution claimed that while speaking on television, El-Rufai admitted that he and others unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of Ribadu.
Based on this alleged admission, the Federal Government filed three separate counts against the former governor.
In count one, the government argued that the alleged admission amounts to an offence under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act. The section deals with unlawful interception of electronic communications and prescribes punishment for offenders.
Count two alleges that during the same interview, El-Rufai said he knew and associated with individuals who intercepted Ribadu’s phone communications but failed to report them to security agencies. The prosecution claims this act is contrary to Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act, 2024, which requires citizens to report cyber-related offences.
The third count states that El-Rufai and others who are still at large used technical equipment or systems to intercept the National Security Adviser’s phone communications in 2026 in Abuja.
This count is said to be contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act. The section prohibits unlawful interception of communications and provides penalties for anyone found guilty.
The prosecution further argued that the alleged act compromised public safety and national security.
Nigeria has in recent years strengthened its laws on cybercrime and electronic communications. The Cybercrimes Act was first enacted in 2015 and later amended in 2024 to address emerging threats in the digital space.
The law criminalizes unauthorized access to computer systems, interception of electronic messages, identity theft, and other related offences. It also places responsibilities on individuals and institutions to report cybercrimes.
The Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, regulates the telecommunications sector. It protects the privacy of communication and makes it illegal to intercept phone calls or electronic messages without lawful authority.
El-Rufai, who served as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, remains a prominent political figure. He has been vocal on national issues and has appeared on several media platforms to comment on politics and governance.
The charges against him are likely to attract public attention, given his political standing and the sensitivity of the allegations.
They also explained that the prosecution will need to present evidence to support its claims, including the alleged statements made during the television interview and any technical findings related to the alleged interception.
If the case proceeds to trial, it may test the strength of Nigeria’s cybercrime and communications laws, especially in cases involving high-profile individuals.
As of press time, the Federal High Court had not announced a date for El-Rufai’s arraignment. Arraignment is the stage in a criminal case where the charges are formally read to the defendant, who then enters a plea.
It is not yet clear whether El-Rufai will challenge the charges or make any public statement in response.
The development adds to ongoing debates about digital privacy, national security, and the responsibilities of public officials in Nigeria.
For now, attention is focused on the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the next steps in the case are expected to unfold.
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