DSS Files Three-Count Charge Against El-Rufai Over Alleged Phone Interception
The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a three-count charge against former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai over the alleged interception of a telephone conversation involving Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s national security adviser.
The charges were filed on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja by DSS counsel. According to the secret police, the alleged offences violate provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
In one of the counts, the DSS accused El-Rufai of admitting during a February 13, 2026 appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme that he and others unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s phone communications, an offence punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes Act.
Another charge alleges that El-Rufai said he knew individuals involved in the interception but failed to report them to security agencies, contrary to Section 27(b) of the same law.
The third count accuses him and others still at large of using technical systems to unlawfully intercept the NSA’s communications in a way that compromised public safety and national security, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act.
During the television interview, El-Rufai claimed that someone wiretapped Ribadu’s phone, allowing them to hear the NSA allegedly instruct security operatives to arrest him. He also alleged that the government routinely listens to calls without court orders.
The development follows an incident last Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where security operatives attempted to arrest the former governor upon his return from Cairo. He had alleged that the operatives did not present any letter of invitation and claimed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission asked DSS personnel to abduct him.
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