Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is set to be arraigned on February 25 over alleged cybercrime and national security violations.
The Department of State Services filed a three-count charge accusing the former governor of unlawfully intercepting the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the arraignment date was fixed by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja after the case was assigned by the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, alleges violations of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003. Prosecutors claim the alleged conduct contravenes Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes Act.
El-Rufai was earlier detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over corruption-related allegations and was granted administrative bail on Wednesday evening. Shortly after his release, he was taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in connection with ongoing investigations.
ICPC spokesperson John Odey confirmed that the former governor remains in the commission’s custody while inquiries continue.
