A coalition of civil society organisations has called for the immediate arrest, investigation, and prosecution of former Kaduna State governor and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, , over alleged illegal interception of the phone conversations of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
The coalition, operating under the aegis of the (CSDR), made the demand in a press statement issued on Sunday, February 15, 2026, and signed by its convener and co-convener, Nelson Ekujumi and Shola Omolola.
According to the group, El-Rufai allegedly admitted during a national television programme that he and others illegally monitored the phone conversations of the NSA, , while the latter was discharging his official duties. The coalition described the alleged action as a breach of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015 and an act of subversion of national security.
The CSOs said they were “shocked and traumatised” by what they described as a self-confession, stressing that the interception of private communications in Nigeria is strictly regulated by the Constitution and relevant statutes.
They cited Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees the privacy of citizens’ communications, and Section 45, which permits limited restrictions only under laws reasonably justifiable in a democratic society for reasons such as defence and public safety.
The coalition also referenced provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which require authorised security agencies to obtain a warrant from a Federal High Court judge before intercepting communications, except in narrowly defined emergency situations. They further cited Section 39 of the Cybercrimes Act, which criminalises unauthorised interception of electronic communications and prescribes fines and imprisonment for offenders.
Based on these legal provisions, the group said it could not “rationalise where Mr Nasir El-Rufai derived the powers to engage in cybercrime and subvert national security,” insisting that he and others allegedly involved must be arrested, investigated, and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The coalition added that a thorough investigation could help address Nigeria’s security challenges, alleging that illegal access to sensitive communications could undermine efforts to combat terrorism and banditry.
The statement concluded with a call on law enforcement agencies to act in the interest of national security and the rule of law.