ABUJA, Nigeria: Nigeria’s former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, pleaded not guilty to a five-count amended charge of alleged unlawful communication interception and breach of national security before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Okay News reports that the Department of State Services arraigned the defendant before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, substituting an initial three-count charge with the amended filing dated April 13.
The prosecution, led by counsel for the Department of State Services, Oluwole Aladedoye, read the counts detailing the alleged unauthorized interception of communications belonging to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Count four stated, “That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, intentionally and without authorization, intercepted the communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, as admitted by you on 13” February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV Station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.”
Counsel to the defendant, Oluwole Iyamu, confirmed receipt of the amended charge and did not oppose the substitution.
The defence notified the court of a pending bail application filed on February 17, noting that the defendant remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission. The prosecution stated it did not oppose the bail request but filed a separate application requesting to conceal the identities of two witnesses using pseudonyms.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter for hearing on May 18, May 19, and May 20.
