Cybercrimes: Nigeria slams 3-count charge on el-Rufai over illegal phone-tapping of NSA

*The Federal Government of Nigeria arraigns Malam Nasir el-Rufai, ex-Governor of Kaduna State on a three-count charge bordering on cybercrimes and self-confessed unlawful interception of phone communications of the Office of the National Security Adviser, before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Following his disclosed of illegal phone-tapping Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), the Federal Government has arraigned diminutive Malam Nasir el-Rufai, ex-Governor of Kaduna State on a three-count charge before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.

Court documents indicates Malam el-Rufai, 65, was charged in connection with statements he reportedly made during a live coverage on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme February 13, 2026.

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ConsumerConnect reports Malam el-Rufai, in the viral interview, had purported his personal involvement in the criminal interception of Malam Ribadu’s phone communications.

He also alleged that he had knowledge of certain individuals, who carried out the act without reporting them to relevant security agencies in the country.

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According to him, “someone tapped” Ribadu’s phone, allowing him to listen to a conversation in which the NSA “ordered” his arrest.

El-Rufai further acknowledged the action was illegal, but claimed the government routinely engages in similar practices without court orders.

“The government thinks they are the only ones that listen to calls but we also have our ways,” el-Rufai said on a live television show.

The charges, filed under case number FHC/ABJ/ CR/99/2026, contain three counts.

According to the court documents, Count One alleges that Malam el-Rufai admitted during the television programme that he and his associates unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, contrary to Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

Count Two accuses the defendant of stating that he was aware of individuals, who unlawfully intercepted the same communications but failed to report them, allegedly violating Section 27(b) of the same Act.

Count Three alleges that the former Governor of Kaduna State used technical systems capable of compromising public safety and national security, and of instilling apprehension among Nigerians, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

A team of Federal Government lawyers, including ME Ernest, OM Owan, UM Bulla, CS Eze and VE G. Orubor, is leading the prosecution team.

The Nigerian authorities noted that the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, where the former governor is expected to take his plea and respond to the charges preferred against him.

Earlier, in his remarks on el-Rufai’s open admission of his involvement in illegal phone-tapping against the NSA at the weekend, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President presidency spokesperson

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, had advocated a thorough investigation into el-Rufai’s admission that he accessed an intercepted phone conversation involving Ribadu.

Onanuga, in a post on his verified X account, described el-Rufai’s carefree disclosure as a “confession”.

The Presidential aide also queried whether the former Kaduna Governor and his unnamed “collaborators” even possess wire-tapping facilities.

He stated: “El-Rufai confesses to wire-tapping Nigeria’s NSA on TV.

“Does it mean that he and his collaborators have wire-tapping facilities?”

Onunuga further declared: “This should be thoroughly investigated and punishment meted out. El-Rufai is not too big to face the wrath of the law.”

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