DSS Charges El-Rufai with Cybercrime in Abuja Court

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a three-count cybercrime charge against former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai in the Federal High Court, Abuja, under case number CR/99/2026. The charges allege that El-Rufai unlawfully intercepted phone communications of Nsa Ribadu, which the DSS claims constitutes a serious breach of Nigeria's cybercrime laws and poses a threat to public safety and national security.

The charges were filed by Ernest M. E. on behalf of the DSS following statements made by El-Rufai during a live interview on Arise TV's prime time program on February 13, 2026.

The court documents further allege that El-Rufai did not acknowledge knowledge of the interception and failed to report the relevant security agencies despite being aware of the alleged offense. The DSS claims that the unlawful use of technical equipment to intercept communications compromises national security and creates insecurity among Nigerians.

El-Rufai has previously been interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding corruption allegations but has not been arrested.