The Department of State Services (DSS) is set to arraign Nasir El-Rufai on February 25 over alleged cybercrime and breach of national security.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja fixed the date after the Chief Judge, John Tsoho, assigned the case to her.
El-Rufai is facing a three-count charge following allegations that he intercepted the phone communications of Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA).
The charges, filed by the DSS and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, cite alleged violations of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
According to the DSS, El-Rufai admitted during a February 13 interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme that he and his associates unlawfully tapped Ribadu’s phone.
The alleged offences include failing to report the unlawful interception and deploying technical systems said to have compromised public safety.
Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, form the legal basis of the prosecution.
During the television interview, El-Rufai claimed he overheard the NSA directing security operatives to detain him, linking the alleged directive to what he described as a failed arrest attempt at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12 after his return from Cairo, Egypt.
El-Rufai was recently detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over corruption allegations. After he was granted administrative bail on Wednesday, he was immediately taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
ICPC spokesperson John Odey confirmed the development, stating, “Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the commission in connection with ongoing investigations.”
