Former Nasir El-Rufai will face the Federal High Court, Abuja, on February 25 over allegations of unlawful interception of the Mallam Nuhu Ribadu’s phone communications.

The Department of State Services filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003. The case, FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, is assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.

DSS claims that on February 13, 2026, during a live Arise TV Prime Time interview, El-Rufai admitted he and others illegally intercepted the NSA’s phones and knowingly associated with a person who did so without reporting it. The offence is punishable under Section 12(1) and Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes Act.

El-Rufai linked the alleged interception to an attempted arrest at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12, following his return from Cairo, Egypt. He had earlier been granted administrative bail by the EFCC over a separate N432bn fraud investigation, but was reportedly taken into custody again by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.