DSS Set to Arraign El-Rufai Over Alleged Cybercrime Charges, Security Tightened

The former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, is scheduled to be arraigned today at the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged involvement in cybercrimes and violations of the Communications Act.

El-Rufai is expected to appear before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on a three-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).

As of the time of filing this report, security operatives had taken control of the court premises due to the large number of supporters and political associates who gathered at the venue.

The heavy security presence is aimed at preventing any potential breach of order and ensuring safety within the court.

Meanwhile, the courtroom on the third floor of the building was filled, with security personnel regulating entry.

Both the former governor and Justice Abdulmalik were being awaited for the commencement of proceedings.

The DSS brought the charges against El-Rufai over his alleged role in wiretapping the phone lines of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

In the three-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 and filed on Monday at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court, the secret police accused him of violating the Cybercrimes (Prohibition) Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

Counts in the charge read:

“That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, on 13th February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did admit during the interview that you and your cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.

“That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, on 13t February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did state during the interview that you know and relate with certain individual, who unlawfully intercepted the Phone Communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, without reporting the said individual to relevant Security agencies and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27 (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.

“That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, and other still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, with others still at large did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety, national security and instilling reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to which you admitted during an interview on 13th February, 2026, on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.”

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