FG Arraigns El-Rufai For Allegedly Tapping NSA, Ribadu’s Phones

The Federal Government has arraigned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

According to court documents, the 65-year-old former governor appeared as a guest on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme on February 13, 2026, where he allegedly admitted involvement in the interception and acknowledged knowing the individuals who carried out the act without reporting them to security agencies.

The charges, filed under reference number TABU DET CR/99/2026, include three counts. The first count alleges that El-Rufai admitted during the television interview that he and his associates unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s phone communications, contrary to Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

The second count accuses him of knowing individuals who conducted the interceptions but failing to report them, in violation of Section 27(b) of the same Act. The third count alleges that he used technical systems in a manner that compromised public safety and national security, creating apprehension among Nigerians, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

The case was filed by a team of Federal Government lawyers led by ME Ernest, OM Owan, UM Bulla, CS Eze, and VE G. Orubor. Authorities confirmed that the case falls under the jurisdiction of the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, where El-Rufai is expected to respond to the charges.