Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is currently facing serious cybercrime charges filed by the State Security Service (SSS). These charges stem from his public admission on live television that he had listened to phone conversations of National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu. During an interview on ARISE TV on February 13, El-Rufai revealed that an undisclosed individual had tapped the security chief's phone and subsequently shared the recordings with him. He explicitly stated that these recordings allowed him to hear the NSA allegedly issuing orders to security agencies for his detention.

The State Security Service has leveled three specific counts against El-Rufai under the provisions of the Cybercrime Act 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act 2003. The first charge accuses him of unlawfully intercepting Ribadu’s phone communications by virtue of his televised confession that he and others had access to and listened to the NSA’s calls. The second charge highlights his failure to report the person who actually carried out the illicit phone tapping to the appropriate security agencies, a requirement stipulated by law. Furthermore, the third charge alleges that El-Rufai compromised public safety and national security through the use of technical equipment for the interception of official communications.

When questioned by the TV presenter about the illegality of tapping the NSA's phone, El-Rufai's response was a defiant defense, stating, "I know, but the government does it all the time; they listen to our calls all the time without a court order." This statement suggests his belief that such actions, while illegal, are common practice, thus attempting to justify his involvement. However, this open admission on national television provided prosecutors with direct evidence, enabling them to file charges immediately without extensive preliminary investigation typically required in such cybercrime cases.

The government's reaction to El-Rufai's revelations was swift and decisive. The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) promptly directed the SSS to launch an investigation into the former governor's comments right after the interview was aired. Within days of the public confession, formal charges were officially filed, demonstrating the speed at which the government moved once El-Rufai effectively incriminated himself on live television. Intercepting phone communications without due authorization carries significant penalties under Nigerian law, with the severity increasing considerably when such an act targets a high-ranking national security official.

These new cybercrime charges compound El-Rufai’s existing legal woes. He is currently under intense scrutiny from multiple federal agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the State Security Service (SSS). These investigations pertain to various aspects of his tenure as governor and his more recent activities. Just the week prior to his phone-tapping admission, El-Rufai had confirmed scheduled meetings with ICPC operatives and had already met with the EFCC. The self-incriminating admission regarding the phone tapping has therefore added another critical layer of legal complexity to his already challenging situation.