A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai on charges of unlawful interception of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu's phone communications. The hearing was rescheduled to May 18, 19, and 20 for accelerated proceedings on pending applications, including El-Rufai's bail request. On Thursday, DSS counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that a five-count amended charge had been filed on April 13, replacing the initial three-count charge. The prosecution stated the new charges relate to El-Rufai's alleged unauthorised access to sensitive security communications, stemming from remarks he made during a February 2026 appearance on Arise Television. El-Rufai had said, "He (Ribadu) made the call because we listened to their call," adding, "Someone tapped his phone. The government listens to our calls all the time without a court order. Someone tapped his phone and told us that he gave the order." He also stated, "Government thinks they are the only ones that listen to calls, but we also have our ways." The court ordered El-Rufai remanded in DSS custody, but his counsel objected, noting he remains in ICPC custody over separate proceedings. The court directed both agencies to clarify custody status before the next hearing. The charges fall under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
El-Rufai claims ordinary citizens can tap the NSA's phone, yet expects to be shielded from prosecution for admitting it in public. His statements imply a parallel surveillance capability outside state control, raising questions about how secure Nigeria's security architecture truly is. If such access is real and casually disclosed, then every Nigerian linked to sensitive information is potentially exposed. No official has explained how a former governor's alleged capability went undetected until his TV appearance.
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