El-Rufai Arraigned for Alleged Cybercrime on February 25

On February 25, 2024, former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai was arraigned in a Federal High Court in Abuja on allegations of cybercrime that breach national security. The case, assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, follows charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) which include three counts of criminal offenses.

These charges stem from an interview El-Rufai gave on February 13, where he admitted to unlawfully intercepting phone communications related to national security, contrary to the Cybercrime Prohibition and Prevention Act of 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003. The DSS claims that El-Rufai's actions compromised public safety and instilled insecurity among Nigerians.

Additionally, he is implicated in a broader investigation concerning corruption amounting to N440 billion during his administration from 2015 to 2023. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has also been involved in the investigation, which includes allegations of corrupt practices.