The Department of State Services (DSS), also known as the State Security Service (SSS), is set to arraign former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai before the Federal High Court in Abuja next Wednesday over alleged cybercrime and national security offences.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, has been assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to court documents, the DSS filed a three-count charge accusing El-Rufai of unlawful interception of communications and actions allegedly capable of undermining national security.
Prosecutors allege that during a live appearance on ARISE TV on February 13, the former governor admitted that he and unnamed associates intercepted telephone communications belonging to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
- Count One alleges unlawful interception of communications, contrary to Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
- Count Two accuses El-Rufai of knowingly associating with an individual who allegedly carried out the interception but failing to report it, contrary to Section 27(b) of the same Act.
- Count Three alleges that he and others still at large deployed technical systems that compromised public safety and national security, creating fear and apprehension among Nigerians.
The charges come amid multiple investigations involving federal agencies. El-Rufai was earlier detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over corruption allegations before being granted administrative bail. He was subsequently taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which confirmed he remained under investigation.
ICPC operatives also conducted a search of his Abuja residence on Aso Drive as part of what sources described as an expanding probe. His lawyer, Ubong Akpan, has criticised the search, alleging violations of due process and his client’s fundamental rights.
The arraignment next week is expected to formally open court proceedings in the cybercrime and national security case.