The Department of State Services (DSS) has formally filed three criminal charges against former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing him of cybercrime offences and actions capable of endangering national security.
Court documents obtained by journalists on Thursday, February 20, 2026, show that the charges stem from statements El-Rufai made during a live television interview on Arise TV on Thursday, February 13, 2026. The DSS alleges that the former governor admitted knowledge of the illegal interception of telephone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, but failed to report those responsible to security authorities.
The case has been assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, following approval by the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho. The matter is scheduled for mention and possible arraignment on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
The Three Counts
The DSS complaint lists the following charges:
Count One — Breach of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 through the unlawful interception of private communications. Prosecutors claim El-Rufai’s televised statements constitute an admission that he was aware of the interception of the NSA’s telephone lines.
Count Two — Failure to disclose information about individuals responsible for the interception. The DSS argues that El-Rufai’s silence aided and abetted a serious breach of national security.
Count Three — Conspiracy with persons still at large to use technical systems to unlawfully interfere with the NSA’s communication in a manner that endangered public safety, created fear among citizens, and undermined national security.
The prosecution relies heavily on excerpts from the Arise TV interview, during which El-Rufai recounted overhearing alleged instructions linked to his attempted arrest at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja upon his return from Cairo, Egypt. He claimed the instructions were directed at the NSA.
The DSS maintains that these public disclosures revealed sensitive security matters and amounted to criminal conduct under Nigerian law.
Related Developments
The filing comes amid a series of legal actions involving the former governor. On the same day the DSS charges were filed, El-Rufai was reportedly detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over separate allegations of corruption and abuse of office during his tenure as Kaduna State governor (2015–2023). He was granted administrative bail by the EFCC but was immediately taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for questioning in connection with ongoing investigations.
An official ICPC statement confirmed: “Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the commission in connection with ongoing investigations.”
El-Rufai has not yet issued a formal response to the DSS charges, but close associates have described the legal actions as politically motivated and part of a pattern of harassment against critics of the current administration.
Background and Context
Nasir El-Rufai served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (2003–2007) and Governor of Kaduna State (2015–2023). He was a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) but has become increasingly critical of the Tinubu administration, particularly on economic policy and governance issues. His February 13 interview on Arise TV, in which he made sweeping allegations about security agencies and political interference, drew widespread attention and sparked controversy.
The DSS charges represent the first time a former governor has faced cybercrime allegations tied to public statements about national security matters. Legal experts note that the case will test the boundaries of free speech, national security exemptions, and the application of the Cybercrimes Act to public commentary.
The development has already generated intense debate across Nigeria’s political spectrum. Supporters of the former governor have described the charges as an attempt to silence dissent, while administration-aligned voices argue that public disclosure of sensitive security information constitutes a clear breach of law.
The Federal High Court hearing on February 25 will determine whether El-Rufai will be arraigned, granted bail, or face further detention pending trial. Given the high-profile nature of the case, security has been heightened around the court premises in Abuja.
The outcome could have significant implications for political speech, executive-judicial relations, and the use of national security laws against public figures in Nigeria.
