The Federal Government filed a five-count amended charge accusing El-Rufai of unlawfully intercepting and tapping the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in violation of Nigeria’s cybercrime regulations.

According to court documents, the DSS alleges that the former governor engaged in illegal surveillance activities and committed security breaches. The charges are partly based on statements he reportedly made during a February 13, 2026 interview on Arise TV, where he allegedly discussed intercepting the NSA’s communications.

The amended charges cite provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Amendment) Act, 2024, as well as the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

When the charges were read in court, El-Rufai pleaded not guilty. The prosecution urged the court to fast-track proceedings, stating it would require only a few days to present its case.

Counsel to the defendant raised the issue of bail, which presiding judge Justice Joyce Abdulmalik said would be considered at the next hearing, scheduled for May 18, 2026.

This case is separate from ongoing proceedings instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, which is prosecuting El-Rufai over an alleged ₦11 billion fraud during his tenure as governor.

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The commission disclosed that the charges, filed on March 18, include alleged conversion and possession of public property, as well as money laundering.

In a statement issued on Monday, ICPC spokesperson, John Okor Odey, said El-Rufai will be arraigned alongside Joel Uju.

He further revealed that a separate case has been instituted against the former governor at a Kaduna State High Court, involving allegations of abuse of office, fraud, and intent to commit fraud to confer undue advantage.

According to the commission, the date for the state high court arraignment will be communicated in due course.

“Similarly, another charge, number KDH/KAD/ICPC/01/26, against Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i and one Amadu Sule (LEDA), has also been filed before a Kaduna State High Court in the Kaduna Judicial Division,” the statement reads in part.

“The charges in the State High Court case range from abuse of office, fraud, and intent to commit fraud to conferring undue advantage, among others. Both charges were filed by the ICPC on the 18th of March, 2026.

“The date of arraignment in the State High Court will be communicated at the appropriate time as determined by the Court. My

“The ICPC wishes to inform the public that Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’i has been duly served. The ICPC restates its commitment to adhering fully to due process and the rule of law at all times.”

Following his release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in February, the former Kaduna State governor has remained in the custody of the ICPC.

On March 5, a magistrate court approved a 14-day extension of his remand, prolonging his detention beyond the initial order.

The situation has sparked mounting pressure on the commission, with multiple calls especially from the opposition urging authorities to either formally charge him or grant his release.

In response, El-Rufai filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging both the search carried out at his residence by the ICPC and the legality of the remand order issued on February 19.

The case names several respondents, including the ICPC, the magistrate who authorized the remand, the inspector-general of police, and the attorney-general of the federation

Channels television

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Obi spoke on Sunday at a meeting with stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna.

The ADC chieftain said El-Rufai’s detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) raises serious concerns about the state of democracy and rule of law in Nigeria.

“It is a political persecution. We have a law, and that law allows for people to be treated with dignity until they are found guilty. Let our law prevail,” Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, said.

“How do you tell somebody you’re inviting him, and he came back voluntarily in the country on his own, and you’re treating him like somebody who was running away? No. Let the law follow his cause. I’ve said it. I’ve written about it, and I continue to say so.”

El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna, has been in ICPC custody since February 18. This followed his transfer from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Department of State Services (DSS) has charged him with cybercrime, with a court hearing set for April 23, 2026.

But the ex-governor has filed lawsuits against the DSS and ICPC, accusing the agencies of abuse of power and unlawful detention.

The ICPC said he is being detained as investigations into allegations of money laundering and abuse of office deepen.

His family has also faulted his continued detention, calling for his release.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to the ICPC chairman, dated March 6, 2026, El-Rufai’s counsel, led by Ubong Esop Akpan, accused the anti-corruption agency of “abuse of court process”, unlawful detention, and misrepresentation before the courts.

Source Channels television

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ICPC spokesperson Okor Odey described the reports as false, confirming that El-Rufai remains in stable condition as investigations into allegations of financial misconduct during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023 continue.

The commission stated that once its investigations are complete and formal charges are filed in court, full details of the case will be made public. El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since February 18, following his earlier detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is also probing allegations of financial impropriety linked to his time in office.

El-Rufai has been in ICPC custody since Feb. 18 after his release from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he was previously detained.

Both the ICPC and EFCC are reportedly investigating allegations of financial misconduct linked to his tenure as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023.

In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly recommended his prosecution following claims of alleged diversion of public funds and money laundering during his time in office.

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The former governor, who honoured the commission’s invitation days after a failed arrest attempt at the airport, was accompanied by loyalists, while opposing groups demanded a thorough and transparent investigation into the allegations.

This was sequel to a failed attempt to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday.

A source at the commission confirmed that El-Rufai was being interrogated over corruption allegations leveled against his tenure as governor of Kaduna State.

“He is with our investigators, but cannot confirm how long he would be questioned, it is still early to know how long he will stay there,” the source said.

However, another source hinted on the possibility of being taken to court for arraignment.

Ubong Akpan, counsel to El-Rufai, had said the EFCC invitation was received while he was overseas.

He said there was no basis for the attempted arrest, which infringes upon key constitutional provisions guaranteeing fundamental freedoms.

“There exists no justifiable basis for this attempted arrest or the accompanying mistreatment,” he said.

There were two groups of protesters  that stormed the EFCC headquarters on Monday on the former governor.

While some were chanting solidarity songs others were calling for a thorough investigation.

However, there was a mild drama when some of the persons who accompanied El-Rufai were prevented from entering the commission’s office in Jabi, Abuja.

Muhammad Abdullahi, Spokesperson of the group protesting against El Rufai, insisted that the corruption allegations against the former governor must not be trivialised or politicised.

“We reiterate its firm position that the ongoing prosecution of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, remains a lawful and constitutional matter strictly between him and the Government of Kaduna State.

“This issue should not be reduced to a mere political drama or emotional manipulation,” he said.

Responding, the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, appealed for calm and assured the protesters that their petition would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities within the commission.

“The EFCC recognises the right of Nigerians to lawful protest in respect of any issue they feel so concerned about. Your protest and demands will be communicated to the executive chairman accordingly.

“I want to assure you that the EFCC, as we know it, will do its job professionally by attending to all the issues that you raised in your letter,” he said.

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