The Department of State Security Services, DSS has filed criminal charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged cybercrime and unlawful interception of communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
El-Rufai is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, before a Federal High Court in Abuja. The three-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, has been assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, according to a hearing notice issued on Friday.
The DSS alleges that the former governor violated provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, through his purported involvement in the unlawful interception of Ribadu’s telephone communications.
According to the security agency, the charges followed claims that El-Rufai admitted knowledge of or involvement in the alleged interception during a February 13, 2026 appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme.
The development marks a significant escalation in tensions between the former governor and the federal security establishment. As of the time of filing this report, El-Rufai had yet to publicly respond to the charges.