Nasir El-Rufai Faces Cybercrime Charges Over Alleged NSA Phone Tap
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| Nasir El-Rufai |
Nasir El‑Rufai, the former Kaduna State governor, has been charged with three cyber‑crime counts after allegedly admitting on Arise TV that he and associates unlawfully intercepted National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu’s phone calls.
The charges, filed on 16 February 2026 under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, accuse him of illegal interception, failure to report co‑conspirators, and using technical equipment that compromised national security.
In the interview, he claimed that "someone tapped" the phone of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, allowing him and associates to listen to a conversation where Ribadu allegedly ordered his arrest. This followed reports of an attempted arrest of El-Rufai at Abuja's Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport around that time.
However, this has sparked significant political controversy, with some viewing it as retaliation amid tensions between El-Rufai and elements of the current administration, while others see it as a legitimate national security matter.
The charges, filed on 16 February 2026 under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, accuse him of illegal interception, failure to report co‑conspirators, and using technical equipment that compromised national security.
In the interview, he claimed that "someone tapped" the phone of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, allowing him and associates to listen to a conversation where Ribadu allegedly ordered his arrest. This followed reports of an attempted arrest of El-Rufai at Abuja's Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport around that time.
The three-count charge accuses him of, illegally intercepting or admitting to intercepting the NSA's phone communications knowing about and associating with people who illegally intercepted communications without reporting them, and using technical equipment that compromised national security and public safety.
However, this has sparked significant political controversy, with some viewing it as retaliation amid tensions between El-Rufai and elements of the current administration, while others see it as a legitimate national security matter.
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