ICPC Holds El-Rufai Over Alleged Phone Tapping Charges

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) is currently holding former Governor Nasir El-Rufai as the Department of State Services (DSS) informed the court of his absence. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter after Oluwol Aladedoy, SAN, informed the court that El-Rufai failed to appear.

The ICPC has filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai concerning allegations of corrupt practices. The charges stem from an interview he gave on February 13, 2026, during a prime-time program on Aris TV in Abuja, where he admitted to unlawfully intercepting phone communications related to national security, specifically mentioning Nuhu Ribadu.

The first count accuses him of contravening Section 12(1) of the Cybercrime Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024, while the second count relates to failing to report the unlawful interception to relevant security agencies, violating Section 27(b) of the same act. The third count alleges that El-Rufai compromised public safety and national security, violating Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.