DSS charges ex-gov with cybercrimes, breach of Communications Act
Peaceful protesters, comprising Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), yesterday held rallies at the Kaduna State House of Assembly and the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, over the embattled former Governor Nasir el-Rufai.

While protesters in Kaduna stormed the State Assembly to demand an update on the ongoing probe into el-Rufai’s administration, their counterparts in Abuja, the Mega National Movement for Good Governance (MNMGG), pressed for due process and accountability in the Federal Government’s prosecution of el-Rufai.

The protests were staged just as the Department of State Services (DSS) filed charges against el-Rufai over alleged involvement in wire-tapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

With placards and fresh leaves, the Kaduna protesters who converged on Murtala Square walked through major roads leading to the House of Assembly. They called for accountability for alleged corruption and human rights violations by el-Rufai during his eight-year tenure as Kaduna State governor.

The protest, led by the Convener of the Northern Stakeholders Consultative Initiative (NSCI), Yerima Shettima, and Convener of the Coalition of Kaduna Stakeholders Forum, Aliyu Muhammad, was described as a peaceful follow-up to an earlier public address when the coalition urged the former governor to “stop distracting the people of Kaduna State” and face lawful scrutiny.

The protest leaders submitted a formal letter to the Speaker of the Kaduna House of Assembly, Yusuf Dahiru, before dispersing peacefully, stressing the legislators’ commitment to civic engagement and democratic processes in pursuit of justice for the people of Kaduna.

Responding to the protesters’ plea, Leman defended the House of Assembly probe into alleged misappropriation of N432 billion under el-Rufai’s administration.

On the other hand, the Abuja protesters, who converged on the anti-graft agency’s office in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), carried placards with inscriptions such as “They Must Be Held Accountable”, “No Sacred Cows in the Fight Against Corruption”, “Justice for Nigeria” and “Justice Must Prevail, The Constitution Must Stand Supreme.”

Addressing journalists during the protest, spokesperson for MNMGG, Muhammad Abdullahi, said the movement remained committed to promoting transparency, integrity and responsible leadership across the country.

Abdullahi stated that the prosecution of el-Rufai was a lawful and constitutional matter, strictly between the former governor and the Kaduna government, and urged the public not to politicise the issue.

He said: “The Mega National Movement for Good Governance reiterates its firm position that the ongoing prosecution of el-Rufai remains a lawful and constitutional matter strictly between him and the government of Kaduna.

“This issue must not be reduced to political drama or emotional manipulation. It is a question of accountability and stewardship of public trust.”

He referenced the Kaduna State House of Assembly Ad Hoc Committee Report (2024), which allegedly raised concerns regarding financial management, the state’s public debt profile, and contract procedures under the previous administration.

According to him, the findings were publicly documented and reported by reputable media platforms.

In the three-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, filed yesterday before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the secret police accused the former governor of breaching the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act (2024) and the Nigerian Communications Act (2003).

The charges read: “That you, el-Rufai, adult, male, on February 13, 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 NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.”