The Department of State Services (DSS) is set to arraign former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on February 25 over allegations bordering on cybercrime and breach of national security.
The DSS had earlier filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai following his alleged involvement in the interception of telephone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
According to court documents, El-Rufai was alleged to have, on February 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise Television’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, admitted during the interview that he and others unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s phone communications.
The alleged offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
In count two, the former governor was accused of stating during the same interview that he knew and associated with an individual who unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s communications, without reporting the matter to relevant security agencies. The charge is said to contravene Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count three alleged that El-Rufai and others still at large, sometime in 2026 in Abuja, used technical equipment or systems that compromised public safety and national security, thereby instilling apprehension among Nigerians through the unlawful interception of the NSA’s phone communications.
The DSS further stated that the alleged actions are contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
The matter is expected to come up for arraignment on February 25.