Former Kaduna State governor has alleged that he listened to a phone conversation in which , the National Security Adviser (NSA), ordered his arrest.

Speaking during an interview on Prime Time, a programme on , el-Rufai said Ribadu’s phone was tapped by an unnamed individual, allowing him access to the alleged conversation. He admitted that the act was illegal but claimed such practices were routinely carried out by the government.

“He made the call because we listened to their calls. The government thinks they are the only ones who listen to calls, but we also have our ways. He made the call and gave the order,” el-Rufai said.

He added that the interception occurred without a court order, insisting that security agencies regularly monitor phone conversations in a similar manner.

The remarks have drawn criticism from , Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity. Reacting via Facebook, Ajayi said el-Rufai had openly admitted on national television that the NSA’s phone was illegally tapped for his benefit.

“When the interviewer, Charles Aniagolu, pointed out that the act was illegal, el-Rufai agreed,” Ajayi wrote. “By the time he is invited to produce the person who carried out the illegal tap, he would claim that is a tyrant and that he is being persecuted.”