FG Charges Nasir El-Rufai with Cybercrime Over NSA Calls

The Federal Government of Nigeria has filed three counts of cybercrime charges against former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, alleging that he unlawfully intercepted phone communications belonging to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The charges were instituted at the Federal High Court in Abuja, as per documents from the Department of State Services (DSS).

The allegations state that El-Rufai committed the offenses in collaboration with individuals while serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has publicly acknowledged knowledge of the alleged interception during an appearance on Arise TV's prime time program on February 3.

The government claims that El-Rufai's actions contravene Section 12(1) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024. The second count alleges that he was aware of the unlawful interception of NSA's communications and failed to report the matter to relevant security agencies.

The charges further assert that the use of technical equipment to intercept NSA's calls endangered public safety and violated Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003. This case adds to the growing political tension surrounding El-Rufai, a prominent member of the opposition coalition critical of President Bola Tinubu's administration.