DSS Arraigns El-Rufai Over Alleged Wire-tapping Of NSA’s Telephone Lines

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, was on Thursday, April 23, 2026, arraigned before an Abuja Federal High Court by the Department of State Service, DSS, over security related Offences 

The Source reports that El-Rufai who is facing inter-agency investigations and prosecutions over multiple charges bordering on alleged diversion of public funds and security related Offences,was arraigned before Honourable Justice Joyce Abdul-Malik ,on a 5-count charge bordering on alleged wire-tapping of the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser NSA, Malam Nuhu Ribadu.

Specifically, the DSS in an  originating summons, accused El-Rufai of intentionally and unlawfully interfering with the Communication of the NSA, which is considered a critical national information infrastructure, as contained  in Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order ,2024 ,and gazetted as Statutory Instrument No 21 of 2024 which he admitted on February 13 , while appearing as a guest on Arise TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja.

According to the prosecution, the offence which violates Paragraph 7 (b) and (c) of the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Order ,2024 ,is punishable under Section 5 (1) of the Cybercrimes ( Prohibition , Prevention etc) Amendment Act, 2024.

However, El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to the charges.

His Counsel Oluwole Iyamu SAN, while arguing a bail application, argued that El-Rufai has been in custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC, since February 18, praying the Court to consider his bail application dated April 17.

Earlier, the prosecution Counsel Oluwole Aladedoye had prayed the court to allow for the concealment of the identities of witnesses expected to appear when trial commences.

According to the prosecution, covering the witness identities could be either in the form of shielding of faces ,and or the use of pseudonyms ,for the purpose of preventing possible attacks ,from the defendants followers.

Expectedly, the application was opposed by the prosecution counsel, who argued  that shielding the identities of witnesses will negatively affect his client’s constitutional right to know his accusers.

Justice Abdul-Malik after taking arguments from both parties, adjourned proceedings to May,18,19, and 20, 2026.

The Source further reports that the DSS arraignment is coming on the heels of a Kaduna state High Court decision on Tuesday April 21 ,to adjourn El-Rufai’s bail application in alleged corruption trial ,to the first week of June, 2026.