El-Rufai to be arraigned by SSS on Wednesday over cybercrime, national security breach

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is set to be arraigned by the State Security Service (SSS) over allegations of cybercrime and breaches of national security.

The case, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, has been assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Allegations Against El-Rufai

The SSS has charged El-Rufai on three counts:

1. Wiretapping the NSA’s Phones – On February 13, during an interview on ARISE TV, El-Rufai allegedly admitted to unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, in violation of Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act 2024.

2. Failure to Report Interception – El-Rufai is accused of knowing about another individual’s interception of NSA communications and failing to report it to security agencies, contrary to Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act 2024.

3. Compromising Public Safety and National Security – He is further alleged to have used technical equipment in 2026 to intercept NSA communications, creating apprehension and insecurity among Nigerians.

Background of Custody

El-Rufai was initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corruption linked to his tenure as governor. He was granted administrative bail at around 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, but was immediately taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The ICPC confirmed his ongoing detention, stating:

> “Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the commission in connection with ongoing investigations.” – John Odey, ICPC Spokesperson

This development marks another twist in a multi-agency investigation into El-Rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2023, which includes both corruption and national security concerns.

Observers note that the case could set a significant precedent regarding the accountability of public officials in cyber and national security violations in Nigeria.