FG Charges Nasir El-Rufai Over Phone Tapping Incident

The Federal Government has initiated legal proceedings against former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, filing three counts of charges in the Federal High Court in Abuja. The allegations include unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

According to court documents marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, the Department of State Services (DSS) claims that El-Rufai admitted during an interview on Arise TV on February 13, 2026, to intercepting Ribadu's communications. The prosecution contends that this action violates Section 12(1) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024.

The second count alleges that El-Rufai knowingly maintained unlawful interception of Ribadu's communications, contravening the provisions of the Cybercrime law. The third count accuses him of using advanced technical equipment to intercept communications in a manner that compromised public safety and national security.

The arraignment is scheduled for February 16, 2026, and no plea has been recorded yet.