Nasir El-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State, is facing a possible two-year jail term for alleged cybercrime offences. He was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after being questioned over alleged financial impropriety.

The Directorate of State Service (DSS) has filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai for allegedly intercepting the phone communications of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The charges include unlawful interception, compromising national security, and failure to report individuals involved in the interception.

El-Rufai’s detention and charges have sparked protests, with some supporters backing him and others demanding accountability. The allegations against him stem from comments he made during a February 13, 2026, interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme, where he spoke of listening to intercepted conversations allegedly involving Ribadu and security operatives.