The Department of State Services (DSS) has scheduled the arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on February 25 before a Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of alleged cybercrime and breach of national security as outlined in a three-count criminal charge filed by the agency.
The charges were filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, under the case number FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 and have been assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik by the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho.
The matter relates to allegations surrounding alleged unlawful interception of telephone communications attributed to Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA).
The DSS charge sheet contains three counts lodged against Mr El-Rufai:
Count one alleges that during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme in Abuja on February 13, he and others unlawfully intercepted telephone communications belonging to the NSA, contrary to Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count two alleges that he knew an individual responsible for such interception but did not report the matter to relevant security agencies, putatively violating Section 27(b) of the same Act.
Count three alleges that in 2026, in Abuja, Mr El-Rufai and others still at large used technical equipment or systems to intercept the NSA’s communications in a manner said to have compromised public safety and national security, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The charges follow comments attributed to Mr El-Rufai during the television interview, in which he said he heard instructions by the NSA relating to security operatives.
The arraignment of Mr El-Rufai signals the commencement of formal judicial proceedings on the alleged cybercrime and national security breach charges in the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The case adds to ongoing legal and investigative matters involving the former governor, including separate proceedings by other agencies.
The scheduling of the arraignment provides a clear timeline for the next phase of the judicial process and will be a matter for the court to consider on February 25
