The Department of State Services (DSS) has announced that it will arraign former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on February 25 over alleged cybercrime and breaches of national security.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the charges stem from allegations of unlawful interception of sensitive communications.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, fixed the date for arraignment after the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, assigned the case to her for hearing.
Earlier, NAN reported that the DSS filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai on Monday, accusing him of involvement in the alleged wiretapping of the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, was instituted by the Nigerian secret police, alleging violations of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
According to court documents, El-Rufai allegedly admitted during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja on February 13 that he and his associates unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s phone communications.
Prosecutors said the alleged offence contravenes Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and is punishable under the same provision.
In the second count, the former governor was accused of stating during the same television interview that he knew an individual involved in unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s communications but failed to report the matter to relevant security agencies.
The DSS maintains that the alleged actions pose serious implications for national security. The case is scheduled to commence on February 25 before Justice Abdulmalik in Abuja.