The Federal Government has filed Criminal Charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, were instituted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria before the Abuja Judicial Division, with El-Rufai named as the sole defendant.
The prosecution alleges that on February 13, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV’s Prime Time in Abuja, El-Rufai admitted that he and others unlawfully intercepted the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
In count one of the alleged charges, the Federal Government said the alleged admission constitutes an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count two alleges that during the same interview, El-Rufai stated that he knew and associated with persons who unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s phone communications but failed to report them to the appropriate security agencies. The prosecution said this act contravenes Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act, 2024.
In the third count, the government alleged that El-Rufai and others still at large, sometime in 2026 in Abuja, used technical equipment or systems to unlawfully intercept the National Security Adviser’s phone communications. The act was said to have compromised public safety and national security, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The offence in count three is said to be punishable under the same section of the Act.
As of the time of filing this report, no date had been fixed for El-Rufai’s arraignment.
El-Rufai Alleges ICPC Ordered DSS to Arrest Him on Return to Nigeria
El-Rufai, had earlier alleged that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) instructed officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest him upon his arrival in Nigeria.
The allegation followed a brief drama on Thursday at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, when security operatives attempted to detain El-Rufai as he returned from Cairo.
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Muyiwa Adekeye, media aide to the former governor, said operatives approached El-Rufai shortly after he disembarked, but he declined to accompany them without a formal invitation.
However in an interview published by BBC on Friday, El-Rufai said the DSS operatives asked him to attend a meeting at their office after he left the plane.
He requested a letter of invitation, but the operatives told him it would be provided outside the airport.
The former governor claimed about 50 security operatives were present because of him.
“We walked towards the immigration counter, and they said I should give them my passport for them to go and do… I said, ‘no, I always do my immigration biometrics.’ I went there, did that, and walked out,” he said.
I fear Tyranny and Undemocratic Practices
He added that two senior DSS officials later approached him, insisting he go to their office.
El-Rufai said he was unsure if they meant an airport office or the DSS headquarters.
“All I asked for is a courtesy of a letter of invitation. That is what I believe I am entitled to as a Nigerian. They did not have a letter. Subsequently, we learnt that it was ICPC that procured the DSS to do the abduction. I was supposed to be abducted by the DSS and taken to ICPC,” he said.
Asked why he resisted, El-Rufai said he feared tyranny and undemocratic practices.
“I’m afraid of tyranny, undemocratic practices, and people that don’t understand that in a democracy, the executive is not all-in-all,” he said.
“There is a legislature that should be allowed to function, which has not been allowed to function. There is a judiciary that is supposed to be independent, which is being procured and weaponised against the opposition.”
Before the airport incident, El-Rufai had warned that he might face a politically motivated arrest on returning to Nigeria.
Two of his associates, Jimi Lawal and Amadu Sule, are currently facing charges related to alleged fraud and money laundering filed by the ICPC.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
