Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency, the Department of State Services, has accused former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of breaching provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
In the first count, the DSS alleged that El-Rufai, during a February 13 appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme in Abuja, admitted that he and associates unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The offence is said to be punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act, 2024.
The second count claims the former governor acknowledged knowing individuals involved in the alleged interception but failed to report them to relevant security agencies—an action the DSS says violates Section 27(b) of the same law.
In the third count, El-Rufai and others still at large are accused of deploying technical equipment in Abuja in 2026 to intercept the NSA’s communications, an act the agency says compromised public safety and national security while creating widespread fear and apprehension.
According to the DSS, the alleged conduct contravenes Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, based on admissions it says El-Rufai made during the televised interview.
