April 23, 2026 | Breaking News | SUNTV Global Channel Reporting
Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), has arraigned former Kaduna State governor, , before a Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of illegally intercepting a private phone conversation involving the National Security Adviser, .
El-Rufai was docked on Thursday on a five-count amended charge bordering on unlawful interception and unauthorized access to sensitive security communications. The case is being presided over by Justice .
At the court session, the prosecution revealed that the initial three-count charge had been expanded to five counts, prompting the court to strike out the earlier charge sheet. The former governor, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The allegations stem from remarks made by El-Rufai during a February appearance on Prime Time, a programme on , where he openly claimed that associates had tapped Ribadu’s phone and shared details of the conversation with him.
During the interview, El-Rufai reportedly stated that he had listened to a call in which the NSA allegedly instructed security operatives to arrest him. He further suggested that such surveillance was not exclusive to the government.
His comments sparked widespread backlash, with critics calling for an investigation into the legality of his claims.
Reacting at the time, presidential spokesman questioned whether El-Rufai and his associates possessed illegal wiretapping capabilities, insisting that the matter should be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted if necessary.
According to court documents, the charges were filed under relevant provisions of the Cybercrimes Act and the Nigerian Communications Act. Prosecutors allege that El-Rufai not only admitted to intercepting sensitive communications but also failed to report those involved in the act to security authorities.
The case has now set the stage for a major legal and political showdown, raising fresh concerns over privacy, national security, and the limits of surveillance in Nigeria.
More updates to follow on SUNTV Global Channel.
