Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Nigeria’s political landscape was jolted Wednesday night as the State Security Service (SSS) arrested former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai shortly after his release from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), escalating a legal and political confrontation that now spans corruption allegations and cybercrime charges tied to national security claims.
Mr. El-Rufai had been detained by the EFCC since Monday over allegations of corruption linked to his tenure as governor of Kaduna State. According to accounts from individuals familiar with the development, he was granted bail at approximately 8 p.m. on Wednesday. However, moments after regaining his freedom, SSS operatives reportedly stationed at the EFCC headquarters took him into fresh custody.
The new arrest is connected to allegations that Mr. El-Rufai unlawfully intercepted communications involving Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Earlier in the week, the SSS filed cybercrime charges against the former governor at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Prosecutors allege that his public comments suggested he had knowledge of intercepted communications involving the NSA, raising concerns over national security and the integrity of classified communications.
The charges stem from statements Mr. El-Rufai made during a live television interview last Friday. During the broadcast, he claimed that the National Security Adviser’s phone had been tapped and that he overheard instructions directing security operatives to detain him. He further alleged that these instructions resulted in an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja upon his return from Cairo, Egypt, last Thursday.
Witnesses at the airport incident reported that security officials briefly seized his international passport before escorting him out of the terminal amid chants from supporters who had gathered at the scene. The episode drew significant public attention and fueled speculation of deepening political friction between the former governor and federal authorities.
In response to his televised remarks, prosecutors accuse Mr. El-Rufai of admitting to the interception of protected communications, failing to report unlawful surveillance by others, and making statements capable of undermining public safety and national security. The charges reportedly cite provisions under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, as well as the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
Legal experts note that the Cybercrimes Act criminalizes unauthorized access to computer systems and interception of electronic communications, particularly where such actions compromise national security or involve sensitive government infrastructure. If proven, the offenses could carry significant penalties, including imprisonment and fines.
No date has yet been announced for Mr. El-Rufai’s arraignment in connection with the cybercrime case, and he has not issued a formal public response to the latest charges. His legal counsel, Ubong Akpan, has previously criticized actions taken by security agencies, describing the airport incident as arbitrary and unconstitutional. According to Mr. Akpan, the EFCC invitation that triggered the earlier detention was delivered while his client was outside the country, making immediate compliance impracticable. He stated that Mr. El-Rufai had formally communicated his intention to honor the invitation upon returning to Nigeria.
The former governor’s legal troubles unfold against a backdrop of intensifying political realignment. Once a prominent ally of President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, Mr. El-Rufai’s relationship with the administration reportedly deteriorated after a proposed ministerial nomination did not materialize. In recent months, he has emerged as a vocal critic of the government and formally aligned himself with the opposition African Democratic Congress, signaling plans to collaborate with other political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political analysts observe that the convergence of corruption investigations and national security-related charges in this case adds a complex dimension to Nigeria’s evolving power dynamics. While anti-corruption enforcement has remained a declared priority of successive administrations, critics often scrutinize the timing and selectivity of prosecutions involving high-profile political figures.
Supporters of the former governor argue that the rapid succession of arrests suggests political motivations, particularly given his recent shift into opposition politics. Government officials and security agencies, however, maintain that investigations and prosecutions are grounded in statutory authority and independent operational mandates.
The EFCC has been investigating alleged financial mismanagement during Mr. El-Rufai’s tenure as governor, including accusations of diverting public funds. Specific details of the alleged financial infractions have not yet been publicly outlined in full through court proceedings. Observers anticipate that formal charges, if filed, would clarify the scope and evidentiary basis of the corruption allegations.
The SSS action introduces additional legal complexity. Interception of telecommunications without lawful authorization is treated as a serious offense under Nigerian law, particularly where it involves senior national security officials. At issue will be whether Mr. El-Rufai’s comments constituted an admission of unlawful conduct or were merely assertions about information obtained through other means.
The situation also raises broader questions about the intersection of political speech and cybercrime enforcement. Legal scholars note that public statements referencing alleged surveillance or internal security directives can trigger investigative scrutiny if authorities believe classified information has been improperly accessed or disclosed.
As of Thursday, Mr. El-Rufai remained in SSS custody pending further legal processes. His arrest marks one of the most high-profile confrontations between a former state governor and federal security agencies in recent years. With corruption allegations, cybercrime charges, and shifting political alliances converging, the unfolding case is expected to remain at the center of national attention.
The coming weeks are likely to determine whether the matter evolves into a protracted courtroom battle with significant political implications or whether legal proceedings will narrow the focus strictly to statutory interpretation and evidentiary standards. For now, the arrest underscores escalating tensions within Nigeria’s political establishment and places renewed scrutiny on the balance between national security enforcement and political contestation.
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