The Department of State Services (DSS) is set to arraign former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, on February 25 over alleged violations of Nigeria’s cybercrime and communications laws.

The State Security Service accused the former governor of breaching provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

According to the charges, el-Rufai is alleged in count one to have admitted, during an appearance on Arise News’ Prime Time Programme in Abuja on February 13, that he and unnamed associates unlawfully intercepted the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu 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 DSS alleged that during the same television interview, the former governor stated that he knew and had dealings with an individual who unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s phone communications but failed to report the matter to the appropriate security agencies. This count is said to contravene Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

Count three further alleged that El-Rufai and others currently at large, sometime in 2026 in Abuja, used technical equipment or systems to unlawfully intercept the NSA’s phone communications, thereby compromising public safety and national security and creating reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians. The alleged act is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

The DSS maintained that the former governor’s statements during the February 13 Arise TV interview formed part of the basis for the charges.