Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, is currently facing a series of significant legal challenges from various anti-graft and security agencies in Nigeria.

These include criminal charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) concerning alleged unlawful phone interceptions, an ongoing interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over corruption allegations, and an expected summons from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The DSS has filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, accuse him of unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

According to court documents, El-Rufai allegedly admitted to knowledge of the interception during a live television interview on ARISE TV's Prime Time programme on February 13, 2026. Prosecutors assert that this act compromised public safety and national security, instilling fear among Nigerians.

The DSS claims El-Rufai's actions are in breach of Section 12(1) and Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, as well as Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

He is accused of both direct involvement and failing to report individuals allegedly responsible for the unlawful interception, as well as using technical equipment in 2026 within Abuja to compromise communications.

In a separate development, El-Rufai arrived at the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja on Monday, where he is being interrogated over corruption allegations related to his tenure as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023.

He was accompanied by numerous supporters. Sources indicate he will spend the night in custody as investigators continue their questioning.

The EFCC investigation follows a 2024 indictmentby the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which accused El-Rufai of alleged diversion of N423 billion in public funds and money laundering, demanding investigation by anti-graft agencies. He is also expected to be interrogated by the ICPC on related matters.

Adding to his legal woes, the DSS has reopened investigations into the 2019 disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, a vocal government critic. The renewed probe is examining alleged links between El-Rufai and his sons.

A senior security source revealed that El-Rufai's passport was seized at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, last Thursday upon his return from Cairo, a strategic move to prevent him from leaving Nigeria again.

Investigators believe he was aware of the ongoing probe and had planned meetings with the EFCC and ICPC before attempting to depart. El-Rufai, during a recent ARISE Television interview, claimed knowledge of a police officer who allegedly confessed to participating in Dadiyata's abduction, stating the team was sent from Kano.

Security officials have questioned why such information was neither reported nor acted upon. Past social media posts by his sons, Bello and Bashir, reportedly viewed Dadiyata as a hostile critic of the family. Authorities emphasize that the passport seizure was a lawful precaution during ongoing inquiries.

These events unfold against a backdrop of increased scrutiny on the former governor. El-Rufai had previously accused NSA Nuhu Ribadu of orchestrating an attempted arrest at the airport last Thursday.

Calls for accountability have intensified from political figures and activists alike, urging thorough and transparent investigations into all allegations.