From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal Government has formally charged former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, with three counts of offences, alleging that he unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in a move the government says compromised national security.
Filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Department of State Services, the prosecution claims that El-Rufai, who also served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, allegedly acted in concert with other individuals who are currently at large.
One of the charges alleged that on February 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV’s Prime Time program, El-Rufai admitted involvement in the alleged act. He is charged under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024.
In the second count, El-Rufai, described as a leading figure in a coalition of opposition politicians critical of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, was said to have known about the unlawful interception of the NSA’s communications but failed to report the crime to the relevant authorities.
The third count alleges that the use of technical equipment to intercept the NSA’s calls endangered public safety and national security, creating “reasonable apprehension” among Nigerians.
This is in violation of Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
The court is yet to fix a date for the hearing of the case, which has been marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026.
