FG Files Lawsuit Against El-Rufai Alleged Phone Tapping Of NSA Ribadu
✍️ By Teju/ February 16, 2026/ 2:43pm
The Federal Government has reportedly filed a lawsuit against former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El‑Rufai, following explosive comments he made during a televised interview about alleged phone tapping involving Nigeria’s National Security Adviser.
El-Rufai, while speaking on Prime Time on Arise Television, claimed that someone within his camp tapped the phone lines of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, allowing them to listen in on instructions allegedly given to security operatives to arrest him.
During the interview, El-Rufai openly acknowledged that phone tapping is illegal but argued that such practices are routinely carried out by the government. He claimed the intercepted call revealed Ribadu directing security agencies to effect his arrest, insisting that “someone tapped his phone” and relayed the information to his camp.
The comments quickly sparked nationwide outrage and legal attention. According to a post shared on X by lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, the Federal Government has now approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing El-Rufai of committing an offence under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
The suit reportedly hinges on El-Rufai’s own admission on national television, which the government argues amounts to a confession of unlawful interception of private communications.
As investigations and court proceedings unfold, the case has ignited intense debate around state surveillance, abuse of power, and accountability at the highest levels of government.
