A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, shifted the date for the arraignment in the suit filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) against former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai over alleged cybercrimes and breach of Communication act to April 23.
This followed the absence of El-Rufai in court as counsel to the DSS, Mr Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, told the court that the defendant was still with the Independent Corrupt and Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) for investigation on some matters.
El-Rufai, who was to appear in court to take his plea of guilty or not guilty over his alleged complicity in cybercrimes, breach of Communications Act was not present in court when the DSS’ case against him was called.
Aladeoye said that DSS has no control over the sister agency, thus requested for an adjournment to March 23.
While counsel to El-Rufai, Mr Oluwole Iyamu did not oppose the request for adjournment, he however made a serious demand for the bail for the former governor, citing several authorities to back up the request.
But, counsel to the DSS vehemently opposed the bail request, stressing that it was premature and further said that the issue of bail can only be raised after a formal arraignment.
After listening and taking the arguments of counsels, the court presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik refused to grant the bail request.
Justice Abdulmalik held that the court was not yet seized of the matter and said that El-Rufai can only apply for bail after arraignment.
Accordingly, the trial Judge fixed April 23, 2026 for the arraignment.
The DSS filed the charge against El-Rufai over alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
In the three-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 which was filed on Monday before the Court, the DSS accused El-Rufai of breaching the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act, (2024), and the Nigerian Communications Act (2003.)
Counts in the charge states:
- That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, on 13th February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did admit during the interview that you and your cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.
- That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, on 13t February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did state during the interview that you know and relate with certain individual, who unlawfully intercepted the Phone Communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, without reporting the said individual to relevant Security agencies and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27 (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.
- That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, and other still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, with others still at large did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety, national security and instilling reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to which you admitted during an interview on 13th February, 2026, on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
