El-Rufai Arraignment for Cybercrime Set
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is set for arraignment on April 23 in Abuja, Nigeria, following allegations of cybercrime and breach of communication brought against him by the Department of the State Service (DSS), after he failed to appear in court on Wednesday.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled April 23 for the formal arraignment of former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai. He faces charges of cybercrime and breach of communication, initiated by the Department of the State Service (DSS). Justice Joyce Abdulmalik adjourned the matter on Wednesday after El-Rufai was absent from court.
Counsel for the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), informed the court that the former governor was currently undergoing investigation with the Independent Corrupt and Practices Commission (ICPC) on other matters. He stated that the DSS has no control over the sister agency’s proceedings and requested an adjournment until March 23.
Bail Application Rejected
Although El-Rufai’s counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, did not oppose the adjournment, he vehemently sought bail for the former governor, citing several legal precedents to support his request. However, the DSS lawyer strongly opposed the bail application, arguing that it was premature and could only be considered after a formal arraignment.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, after hearing the arguments from both sides, declined to grant the bail request, stating that her court was not yet officially seized of the matter.
The Charges Against El-Rufai
The federal government’s three-count charge outlines that El-Rufai, on February 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, admitted during the interview that he and his associates unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu. This action, according to the charge, constitutes an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.
In the second count, El-Rufai is accused of stating on the same Arise TV programme in Abuja that he knows and interacts with an individual who unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of NSA Nuhu Ribadu, without reporting the said individual to relevant security agencies. This is deemed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.
The third count alleges that El-Rufai and others, who remain at large, used technical equipment or systems that compromised public safety and national security, thereby instilling reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians. This was achieved by unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of NSA Ribadu, an act to which El-Rufai admitted during his February 13, 2026, interview on Arise TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja. This is an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131 (2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.