Phone-Tapping Charge: El-Rufai docked on 5-count charge, applies for bail

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

ABUJA– The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday, arraigned the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai before the Federal High Court in Abuja over his alleged unlawful interception of the phone communication of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

El-Rufai, who was governor between 2015 and 2023 and also Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, was docked on a five-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/99/2026.

The DSS had in the charge that was endorsed by a team of five prosecutors from the Department of State Services (DSS) led by M. E. Ernest, alleged that he committed the crime with some people who are currently on the run.

It alleged the defendant admitted on February 13 when he appeared as a guest on Arise TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, that he aligned with others and unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

The security agency further alleged that the defendant had in the course of the television interview, stated that he knew and related to a certain individual who had unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s telephone communications without reporting the person to the relevant security agencies.

By failing to report the crime, El-Rufai was said to have committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27 (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition , Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.

More so, it was alleged that the defendant, while acting in cahoots with others that are still at large, used technical equipment that compromised public safety, national security and instilled reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians, following the unlawful interception of the NSA’s calls.

He was accused of committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131 (2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

Meanwhile, the former governor pleaded not guilty to the charge that was read to him before trial Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

His legal team, led by Mr. Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, has applied for his release on bail pending the determination of the case.