ABUJA, Nigeria — The Department of State Services (DSS) failed to arraign former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday over alleged cybercrime and breaches of the Nigerian Communications Act.
El-Rufai was absent when the case was called, as he remains under investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Senior Advocate of Nigeria Oluwole Aladedoye informed the court that the DSS does not have authority over the ICPC, prompting a request to adjourn the case to March 23, 2026, which the court granted.
Bail Request Denied Ahead of Arraignment
Counsel to El-Rufai, Oluwole Iyamu, requested bail citing legal precedents, but the DSS opposed, arguing that bail applications could only be considered post-arraignment.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined the bail request, confirming that El-Rufai can formally seek bail only after he is arraigned. The judge subsequently set April 23, 2026, as the new date for the former governor’s arraignment.
Details of the DSS Charge
The DSS filed a three-count charge (FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026) accusing El-Rufai of wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, in violation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
The charges allege that on 13 February 2026, while appearing on Arise TV Prime Time Programme, El-Rufai admitted to unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s communications and failing to report others involved. The counts claim that the actions compromised national security, public safety, and instilled apprehension among Nigerians.
DSS officials maintain that the arraignment and subsequent trial are key steps in upholding accountability for high-profile figures alleged to have breached cyber and communication laws.
