SSS Arraigns El-Rufai Over Alleged Phone Interception

The State Security Services (SSS) on Thursday arraigned former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on five counts bordering on alleged breaches of national security.

The charges arise from statements Mr El-Rufai made during a live television interview, where he claimed to have intercepted a phone conversation involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

At the hearing before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, Mr El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all five amended charges. Proceedings were briefly stood down to allow his legal team regularise filings related to his bail application, with the court expected to resume consideration of the request.

Earlier, prosecuting counsel Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN) informed the court that an amended five-count charge filed on 13 April had replaced an earlier three-count charge. Defence counsel Oluwole Iyamu (SAN) confirmed receipt of the new charges and did not oppose the substitution. The court subsequently struck out the initial charges.

According to the prosecution, the offences contravene provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003. One of the counts alleges that Mr El-Rufai admitted during the television interview that he and others unlawfully intercepted communications linked to Mr Ribadu. Another accuses him of failing to report individuals allegedly involved in the interception to relevant authorities. A further count claims he used technical means to access restricted communications in a manner said to threaten public safety and national security.

Following his plea, the prosecution requested three consecutive trial dates. The defence opposed the application, arguing that access to the defendant—currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)—could be constrained within that timeframe. Defence counsel also referenced a bail application filed in February, noting that a supporting affidavit was not yet in the court file. The judge directed that the filing be completed before proceedings continue.

The case follows Mr El-Rufai’s public claim that he listened to a phone call in which Mr Ribadu allegedly directed security operatives to detain him, an assertion he linked to an incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in February.

Mr El-Rufai is facing investigations by multiple agencies. He was first arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and later taken into custody by the ICPC. The ICPC is prosecuting him in separate corruption cases in Kaduna State, and he remains in custody after being denied bail in one of the cases earlier this week.