By Matthew Denis
The Federal Government has intensified its legal battle against the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, filing a series of criminal charges following the alleged interception of the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 and submitted at the Federal High Court in Abuja, names the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the complainant against El-Rufai as the sole defendant.
The prosecution’s case hinges on statements allegedly made by the former governor during a February 13, 2026, appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme.
According to court documents, the government asserts that El-Rufai admitted to the unlawful interception of phone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
The second charge stated that during the same interview, El-Rufai said he knew and related with individuals who unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s phone communications but did not report them to security agencies. Prosecutors said this action goes against Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act, 2024.
The third count alleged that El-Rufai and other persons still at large, sometime in 2026 in Abuja, used technical equipment or systems to unlawfully intercept the National Security Adviser’s phone communications. The government said the act affected public safety and national security. This charge was filed under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
As the case moves toward a formal hearing in Abuja, it remains to be seen how the defense will address the televised statements that sit at the heart of the government’s filing.