By Kingston Magare 16.2.2026
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai is facing a three-count charge for allegedly wiretapping the phone of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
The Department of State Services filed the charges Monday at a Federal High Court in Abuja, with the Federal government the complainant and El-Rufai the defendant.
According to the charge sheet El-Rufai on February 13, 2026, admitted that he and his cohorts unlawfully tapped the Phone Communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.
Meanwhile El-Rufai appeared at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja with two group of protesters welcoming him. One group called for his prosecution over financial misappropriation while he was governor of Kaduna State, and the other group asked the concerned authorities to stop harassing El-Rufai based on his political leanings.
Security agents cordoned off the area to prevent a violent clash between the groups. However, they allegedly allow the anti-El-Rufai group to come close proximity to the EFCC building, while they dispersed the pro El-Rufai group with teargas.
“They are insulting El-Rufai and humiliating him for nothing. They allow them to come close to EFCC and insult El-Rufai, while we the people of El-Rufai, they stopped us at the junction. This is not justice; we should fear God. It’s not all about money, it’s not all about politics, it’s not all about power,” a female protester on El-Rufai’s team chanted.