Abuja — Nigeria’s political space erupted in dramatic fashion on Monday as the Federal Government hauled former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged unlawful interception of communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The explosive case, filed under charge number TABU DET CR/99/2026, has sent shockwaves through the nation’s political establishment, triggering heated debates in legal circles and across party lines.
At the heart of the storm is an interview granted by El-Rufai on February 13, 2026, during a Prime Time programme aired on Arise TV. Prosecutors allege that during the televised appearance, the former governor made disclosures amounting to an admission of involvement in the interception of the NSA’s phone communications.
He was also said to have acknowledged knowing individuals responsible for the act without reporting them to security agencies.
The Federal Government has levelled three weighty counts against the former governor:
Count One: Alleged unlawful interception of the National Security Adviser’s phone communications, contrary to Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count Two: Alleged failure to report individuals linked to the interception, contrary to Section 27(b) of the same Act.
Count Three: Alleged use of technical systems capable of undermining public safety and national security, said to violate Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The prosecution team, led by ME Ernest alongside OM Owan, UM Bulla, CS Eze, and VE G. Orubor, is expected to press for strict interpretation of Nigeria’s strengthened cyber and telecommunications laws.
Political analysts describe the development as a defining confrontation between power and accountability. El-Rufai, a prominent and outspoken political figure, has long commanded influence within national politics, while Ribadu occupies one of the most sensitive positions in the country’s security architecture.
“This is not just a legal battle; it’s a political tremor,” a senior Abuja-based analyst remarked. “The implications could reverberate far beyond the courtroom.”
As proceedings unfold in the Abuja Judicial Division, the trial is widely expected to test the limits of Nigeria’s cybercrime legislation and redefine conversations around digital surveillance, national security, and political responsibility.
With both men commanding significant political capital, the courtroom showdown is poised to become one of the most closely watched trials in recent years — a case that could reshape alliances, spark fresh controversies, and leave a lasting imprint on Nigeria’s political history.
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