DSS drags El-Rufai to court over tapping of NSA Ribadu’s phone as EFCC receives him

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a three-count charge against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai over the alleged interception of communications belonging to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

In an interview last week, El-Rufai claimed that he and other unnamed individuals listened to conversations from Ribadu’s phone after it had been tapped by a third party.

“He (Ribadu) made the call because we listened to their call,” the former governor told his interviewer.

He added, “Someone tapped his phone. The government listens to our calls all the time without a court order. Someone tapped his phone and told us that he gave the order.”

El-Rufai justified his action by saying, “Government thinks they are the only ones that listen to calls, but we also have our ways.”

However, the Federal Government through the DSS arraigned El-Rufai before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

According to the charge, the government said the former government admitted that he and his cohorts allegedly intercepted the NSA’s phone conversations.

He was accused of committing an offence under section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024.

In count-two of the charge, the former governor, who is a frontline member of a coalition of opposition politicians that are dissatisfied with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, was said to be aware that someone unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s communications, but failed to report the crime to the relevant security agencies.

It was further alleged that by using technical equipment to intercept the NSA’s calls, the defendants endangered public safety and national security, and instilled “reasonable apprehension” among Nigerians, an offence in breach of section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

However, the ormer Kaduna State on Monday appeared at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja over ongoing investigations linked to alleged corruption during his time in office.

His arrival triggered tension around the commission’s premises, as security operatives reportedly barred members of his entourage from entering the facility.

Supporters of the former governor gathered near the junction leading to the EFCC office, chanting slogans and displaying placards reading, “el-Rufai is a citizen, not a subject” and “We stand with el-Rufai. We stand for law.”

Videos circulating online showed the supporters accusing security agents of dispersing them with teargas while allowing a separate group of anti-el-Rufai protesters to assemble nearby.

The opposing demonstrators carried banners urging him to face the allegations, with messages such as, “el-Rufai cannot hide behind politics, let the law catch up,” and “Answer the charge, el-Rufai.”

Sources said the former governor had travelled abroad on November 30, 2025, and that the EFCC later delivered a letter of invitation to his residence in December, fueling speculation about a possible arrest upon his return. el-Rufai had formally notified the commission of his intention to appear at its office by 10 a.m. on Monday.

His media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, alleged that security officials earlier attempted to arrest the ex-governor upon arrival at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from Cairo, Egypt, last Thursday.

According to him, el-Rufai declined to comply without a formal invitation and his passport was temporarily seized.