Nigeria’s political landscape shifted sharply on Thursday as the Department of State Services fixed February 25 for the arraignment of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El Rufai before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations bordering on cybercrime and breach of national security.
The case, marked FHC ABJ CR 99 2026, has been assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik by the Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Tsoho, who approved the arraignment date.
The Allegations
The DSS filed a three count criminal charge accusing El Rufai of unlawfully intercepting the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
According to the secret police, the alleged actions contravene provisions of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
In the first count, the DSS alleged that El Rufai admitted during a February 13 appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme that he and others intercepted the phone communications of the NSA. The agency argues that such an admission amounts to an offence under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act 2024.
The second count accuses him of acknowledging that he knew and related with an individual who unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s communications without reporting the matter to security authorities. That allegation is said to be punishable under Section 27(b) of the same law.
During the televised interview, El Rufai had claimed he overheard Ribadu directing security operatives to detain him, linking the alleged directive to what he described as an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport upon his return from Cairo on February 12.
Multiple Agencies, Multiple Detentions
The legal battle unfolds against the backdrop of a dramatic week for the former governor.
El Rufai was first detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged involvement in a 432 billion naira fraud case. He was granted administrative bail late Wednesday evening.
However, shortly after regaining freedom, he was reportedly taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, where he has remained.
He spent a second night in ICPC custody on Thursday amid protests from his legal team.
Search of Residence Sparks Outcry
El Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, disclosed on X that operatives of the ICPC searched the former governor’s residence on Aso Drive in Abuja.
His lawyer, Ubong Akpan, described the search as unlawful and a violation of due process and fundamental rights.
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According to Adekeye’s post, Akpan condemned the action as a breach of established legal procedures.
A High Stakes Legal Showdown
With the DSS arraignment now scheduled for February 25, the former governor faces parallel legal challenges from multiple federal agencies.
The coming court appearance is expected to clarify the scope of the cybercrime allegations and determine whether the matter proceeds to full trial.
For now, what began as a televised political claim has escalated into a multi agency legal confrontation that could have far reaching political and judicial implications.
