DSS Seizes El-Rufai's Passport Amid Criminal Charges

The Department of State Services (DSS) seized the passport of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Monday, following the filing of three criminal charges against him in the Federal High Court, Abuja. The charges allege that El-Rufai unlawfully intercepted phone communications, compromising national security, as stated by DSS representative Ernest.

The allegations stem from a statement made by Nuhu Ribadu, a chieftain of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), during a live interview on Arise TV on February 13, 2026. The court documents indicate that El-Rufai, 65, failed to report relevant security agencies about the interception despite being aware of the alleged offense.

The DSS claims that the use of technical equipment for interception poses a serious threat to public safety and national security. Additionally, the DSS has reopened the cold case regarding the 2019 disappearance of critic Abubakar Idris, also known as Dadiyata, linking El-Rufai to the alleged kidnapping.

El-Rufai had planned to visit the EFCC and ICPC but was prevented from leaving Nigeria due to the passport seizure.