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SSS Files Cybercrime Charges Against El-Rufai Over Alleged NSA Phone Tapping
The State Security Service (SSS) has filed cybercrime charges against former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. This comes after he admitted on live television that he listened to phone conversations of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Someone tapped the security chief’s phone and shared the recordings with El-Rufai and others.
El-Rufai faces three serious counts under the Cybercrime Act 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act 2003. The charges started from what he said during an interview on ARISE TV on February 13. In the interview, he revealed that he had access to recordings of Ribadu’s phone calls. He explained that someone tapped Ribadu’s phone and gave him the recordings. From them, El-Rufai heard the NSA ordering security agencies to detain him.
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When the TV presenter told him that tapping the NSA’s phone is illegal, El-Rufai replied without worry. He said, “I know, but the government does it all the time; they listen to our calls all the time without a court order.” This open admission on national TV gave the authorities clear evidence to act fast.
The first charge says El-Rufai unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s phone communications. He admitted on TV that he and others listened to the NSA’s calls. The second charge accuses him of failing to report the person who did the actual tapping to security agencies. The law requires people to report such crimes. The third charge claims he compromised public safety and national security. This happened by using technical equipment to intercept official communications.
All three charges carry heavy penalties under Nigerian law. Intercepting phone communications without permission can lead to many years in prison. It is even worse when it targets a national security official like the NSA. El-Rufai’s public confession on live TV made it easy for prosecutors to file charges right away.
The Office of the National Security Adviser told the SSS to investigate El-Rufai’s comments soon after the interview aired. Within just a few days, the SSS filed the formal charges. This shows how quickly the government moved once El-Rufai basically confessed everything himself.
El-Rufai is already under investigation from other agencies. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the SSS are all looking into his time as governor and his recent actions. Last week, he confirmed he will meet ICPC operatives this week. This follows a meeting with EFCC on Monday. His phone-tapping admission came right in the middle of these probes, piling on more legal problems.
What makes this case stand out is that El-Rufai revealed the details himself. In most cybercrime cases, agencies need long investigations to prove illegal access to communications. Here, the main person involved went on TV and explained exactly what happened, who took part, and the reason behind it. He did not hide anything.
El-Rufai seems to defend himself by pointing out that the government taps phones all the time without court orders. He argues that what his side did is no different. Still, the law does not allow private people or groups to do this. The charges now test whether his words will lead to real punishment in court.
This development has sparked wide talk across Nigeria. Many wonder if El-Rufai’s bold TV statements were a mistake or part of a bigger plan. As investigations continue, more details may come out about the phone tapping and other issues from his past.
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