The Federal Government has filed criminal charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over the alleged unlawful interception of the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, was filed by the Federal Government of Nigeria before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, naming El-Rufai as the sole defendant.

According to court documents obtained by Patriotic Insights News, the prosecution alleged that the former governor, during an appearance on a Prime Time programme on Arise TV on February 13, 2026, admitted that he and others unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s phone communications.

In the first count, the government argued that the said admission constitutes an offence punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

The second count stated that El-Rufai allegedly acknowledged knowing individuals involved in the unlawful interception but failed to report them to security authorities, an action said to violate Section 27(b) of the same Act.

In the third count, the prosecution claimed that El-Rufai and other persons still at large used technical devices or systems in Abuja in 2026 to unlawfully intercept the NSA’s communications, thereby endangering public safety and national security. The offence is said to be punishable under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

As at press time, no date had been fixed for his arraignment. Further details are expected.