The Department of State Services (DSS) will arraign Nasir El-Rufai, on February 25 over alleged cybercrime and breach of national security.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the federal high court in Abuja set the date after Chief Judge John Tsoho assigned the case to her.
El-Rufai faces a three-count charge following allegations that he intercepted the phone communications of Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser.
The charges, filed by the DSS, are marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 and cite violations of the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act (2024) and the Nigerian Communications Act (2003).
According to the DSS, El-Rufai admitted during a February 13 interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme that he and associates unlawfully tapped NSA Ribadu’s phone.
The offences include failing to report the unlawful interception and using technical systems that allegedly compromised public safety.
Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, form the legal basis for the prosecution.
Recall that El-Rufai claimed during the TV interview that he overheard the NSA directing security operatives to detain him, linking the alleged order to a failed arrest attempt at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12 following his return from Cairo, Egypt.
El-Rufai was recently detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over corruption allegations. After being granted administrative bail on Wednesday, he was immediately taken into ICPC custody.
John Odey, ICPC spokesperson said, “Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the commission in connection with ongoing investigations.”
