UPDATED: Nasir El-Rufai Faces Feb 25 Court Date Over Alleged Cybercrime
By: Oluwaseun Lawal
February 25. That’s the date penciled in.
Barring any last-minute twist, former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is expected to appear before a Federal High Court in Abuja to answer to a three-count charge brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The case has been assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. A hearing notice has already gone out. So, the wheels are turning.
According to court documents marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, the DSS accuses El-Rufai of offences linked to cybercrime and alleged violations of the Nigerian Communications Act. Central to the charge is an accusation that he unlawfully intercepted — or admitted involvement in intercepting — the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
One of the counts references an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme on February 13. During that interview, prosecutors claim, El-Rufai allegedly admitted that he and certain associates intercepted the NSA’s phone communications. The offence is said to fall under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Another count alleges that he acknowledged knowing an individual who carried out the interception but failed to report the matter to security agencies — an action prosecutors say contravenes Section 27(b) of the same Act.
In a third allegation, the DSS claims that El-Rufai and others still at large used technical systems that compromised public safety and national security by unlawfully accessing the NSA’s communications. That charge is tied to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
Serious claims. Heavy statutes cited. Now, the court will have to test them.
Meanwhile, in a related courtroom development, proceedings in the case involving former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son, Abdulaziz, were stalled on Friday.
Justice Abdulmalik could not sit due to a public holiday declared by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, ahead of the February 21 council elections. The matter has now been shifted to February 27.
The DSS had earlier arraigned Malami and his son on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism-related offences and unlawful possession of firearms. The charge sheet, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, also accuses the former AGF of allegedly declining to prosecute certain suspected terrorism financiers while in office.
Prosecutors further allege that firearms were stored at a residence in Gesse Phase II Area, Birnin Kebbi LGA, without lawful authority.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read. The prosecution subsequently asked the court to remand them in DSS custody pending trial.
Now, two high-profile cases. Same court. Different dates.
Abuja’s Federal High Court may be unusually busy this February.
