The Federal Government has filed charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, were submitted to the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, with the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the complainant and El-Rufai as the defendant.
According to court documents reviewed by PUNCH Online, the prosecution claims that on February 13, 2026, during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme in Abuja, El-Rufai admitted that he and others unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
In the first count, the Federal Government alleges that this admission constitutes an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
The second count alleges that El-Rufai acknowledged knowing and associating with individuals who unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s phone communications but failed to report them to relevant security agencies, in violation of Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act, 2024.
The third count claims that El-Rufai and others still at large, at some point in 2026 in Abuja, used technical equipment or systems to unlawfully intercept the National Security Adviser’s phone communications, compromising public safety and national security, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
This offence in the third count is also said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
As of the time of filing this report, no date had been set for El-Rufai’s arraignment.
Details to follow.
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