DSS gets trial day for El-Rufai over breach of National Security Adviser
The Department of State Services (DSS) is set to arraign former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on February 25 over alleged cybercrime and threats to national security.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed the date after the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, assigned the matter to her. The case, filed by the DSS, is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the secret police filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
In the first count, the DSS alleged that El-Rufai, during a February 13 appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme in Abuja, admitted to participating in the unlawful interception of Ribadu’s phone communications. The charge was brought under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
The second count accused the former governor of stating during the same interview that he was aware of an individual involved in intercepting the NSA’s communications but failed to report the person to security agencies. This charge was filed under Section 27(b) of the amended Cybercrimes Act, 2024.
In the third count, El-Rufai and others said to be at large were accused of using technical equipment in 2026 to compromise public safety and national security by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s communications, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
Recall that during the live television interview, El-Rufai claimed he overheard Ribadu instructing security operatives to detain him. He linked the alleged directive to an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12 after returning from Cairo, Egypt.
The former governor was earlier detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over separate corruption allegations. Although he was granted administrative bail on Wednesday evening, he was reportedly taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which confirmed he is being held in connection with ongoing investigations.
