FG files charges against ex-Kaduna governor El-Rufai over NSA phone interception

The Federal Government has formally filed criminal charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations of unlawfully intercepting the communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Court documents, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, show that the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the complainant, with El-Rufai as the defendant.

Charges filed in Federal High Court, Abuja

The case has been filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.

According to the prosecution, on February 13, 2026, during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme in Abuja, El-Rufai allegedly admitted that he and others intercepted the NSA’s phone communications without legal authorisation.

The charges are broken down into three counts. Count one alleges that El-Rufai’s admission violates Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

Alleged violations of cybercrimes and communications acts

Count two claims he knowingly associated with individuals involved in the interception but failed to report the matter, contrary to Section 27(b) of the same Act.

Count three states that he and others used technical systems in 2026 to unlawfully access the NSA’s communications, compromising national security, in violation of Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

The Federal High Court is yet to fix a date for El-Rufai’s arraignment.