DSS To Arraign El-Rufai On  February 25

.By Adesina Soyooye

Embattled former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, will appear in Court on February 25, no thanks to the Department of State Services, DSS.

He will appear at a Federal High Court, Abuja, before the Honourable Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. The Honourable Justice fixed the date after the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the Honourable Justice John Tsoho assigned it to her.

The DSS, had, on Monday, filed a three-count criminal charge bordering on Chbercrime and a breach of security against el-Rufai.

The charges stemmed from el-Rufai’s alleged involvement in bugging the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

The charge, instituted by the DSS is marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026.

The secret police accused El-Rufai of breaching the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act, (2024), and the Nigerian Communications Act (2003.)

Count one of the charge said that el-Rufai allegedly on February 13, as a guest on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme in Abuja,  admitted that he  and his cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, Mr. Ribadu.

The offence is contrary to, and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

In count two, he was allegedly, on February 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV’s prime time programme in Abuja, stated  that he knew, and related with certain individual, who unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of NSA, without reporting the said individual to relevant security agencies.

The offence is contrary to, and punishable under Section 27 (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

Count three alleged that el-Rufai and others still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, used technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety, national security and instilling reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by illegally intercepting NSA’s phone communications.

According to the DSS,  el-Rufai admitted during an interview on February 13, on Arise TV’s prime time programme in Abuja to the act,  “and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.”

The former Governor who is in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, was first detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC which detained him for two nights while its operatives were interrogating him, literally handed him over to the ICPC on release.