SSS to arraign El-Rufai on Wednesday for cybercrime, national security breach

The State Security Service will on Wednesday, arraign former Governor Nasir El-Rufai for cybercrime and breach of national security.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court fixed the date after the chief judge, Justice John Tsoho, assigned the case (with suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026) to her.

The SSS, on Monday, filed a three-count criminal charge against Mr El-Rufai following his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The service accused Mr El-Rufai of breaching the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act, (2024), and the Nigerian Communications Act (2003.)

In count on, Mr El-Rufai was alleged to have, on February 13, while appearing as a guest on ARISE TV in Abuja, did admit during an interview that he and his cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of Mr Ribadu.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.

In count two, the ex-governor was alleged to have stated that he knew and related with a certain individual, who unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of NSA, without reporting the said individual to relevant security agencies.

The alleged offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 27 (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.

Count three alleged that Mr El-Rufai and others still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety, national security and instilling reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting NSA’s phone communications.

The former governor was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday over corruption allegations.

He was granted administrative bail at about 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday but was immediately taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

The ICPC’s spokesperson, John Odey, who confirmed the development in a message Wednesday night, said, “Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the commission in connection with ongoing investigations.”

(NAN)