Court Sets Date for El-Rufai Arraignment Over Cybercrime, National Security Breach Allegations by DSS

The State Security Service (SSS) will arraign former Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Wednesday over allegations of cybercrime and compromising national security.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court set the date after Chief Judge John Tsoho assigned the case (FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026) to her.

The SSS filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai following claims that he was involved in wiretapping the phone lines of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The charges cite violations of the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act (2024) and the Nigerian Communications Act (2003).

In the first count, El-Rufai is accused of admitting during a February 13 interview on ARISE TV that he and associates intercepted Ribadu’s phone communications, an act punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

The second count alleges that El-Rufai was aware of another individual intercepting the NSA’s communications but failed to report them, contrary to Section 27(b) of the same act.

The third count charges that El-Rufai and others, still at large, used technical systems to compromise public safety and national security in 2026 by unlawfully intercepting Ribadu’s communications.

Separately, El-Rufai was taken into custody by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over corruption allegations earlier this week. He was granted administrative bail but was immediately transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, where he remains under investigation, according to ICPC spokesperson John Odey.