DSS Sets February 25 for El-Rufai’s Arraignment Over NSA Phone Interception
The Department of State Services (DSS) has scheduled February 25 for the arraignment of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged cybercrime and breach of national security.
The case, tagged FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, was assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who fixed the arraignment date following the filing of a three-count criminal charge by the DSS.
The agency alleges that El-Rufai unlawfully intercepted the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, in violation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
According to the DSS, the first count stems from a February 13 television appearance where El-Rufai reportedly admitted to having knowledge of the interception. The second count accuses him of failing to report an individual involved in the unlawful phone surveillance, an offence punishable under Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act.
El-Rufai had also claimed during the broadcast that he overheard Ribadu allegedly instructing security operatives to detain him, linking the purported directive to an attempted arrest at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12, following his return from Cairo, Egypt.
Prior to this, El-Rufai was granted administrative bail after being questioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in connection with an alleged N432 billion fraud case. Shortly after his release, he was reportedly taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The DSS has confirmed that all legal procedures will be followed, and the arraignment on February 25 will mark the next stage in a high-profile investigation that has drawn nationwide attention. Authorities continue to stress that the proceedings are part of ongoing efforts to uphold national security and enforce the country’s cybercrime laws.
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