FG charges El-Rufai over alleged NSA phone tap

By Goli Innocent

The Federal Government has filed a three-count charge against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting the phone communication of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The charge, entered before the Federal High Court in Abuja through the Department of State Services, alleged that El-Rufai committed the offence alongside other persons said to be currently at large.

According to the Federal Government, the former governor admitted his involvement when he appeared as a guest on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on February 3.

The prosecution said the alleged act contravenes Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024.

In count two, the government accused El-Rufai of failing to report to security agencies that someone had unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s communication, despite allegedly being aware of the act.

The charge further alleged that by using technical equipment to intercept Ribadu’s calls, the defendants endangered public safety and national security, and created what it described as “reasonable apprehension” among Nigerians, an offence said to be in breach of Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

El-Rufai, who also served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is described in the charge as a prominent member of an opposition coalition critical of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

As of press time, a date for his arraignment had not been announced.