Abuja — A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, bail in the sum of N100 million over allegations of unlawful interception of communications involving National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the bail on Monday, with one surety in the same amount. The court imposed stringent conditions, including that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17, reside in either Maitama or Asokoro in Abuja, and own landed property within the Federal Capital Territory.
The surety is also required to submit three months’ evidence of salary payments, a bank verification letter, an affidavit of means, a recent passport photograph, and a tax clearance certificate.
El-Rufai was further ordered to surrender all his valid international passports to the court and report to the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters on the last Friday of every month until the trial is concluded. Justice Abdulmalik warned that any breach of the conditions would result in the automatic revocation of the bail. The judge also ordered an accelerated hearing of the matter.
El-Rufai was arraigned by the DSS on a three-count charge bordering on unlawful interception of communications and acts capable of threatening national security.
The charges stem from statements El-Rufai allegedly made during an Arise News interview on February 13, 2026. Prosecutors claimed that during the “Prime Time” programme, the former governor admitted knowledge of an intercepted conversation involving the National Security Adviser, which he said revealed plans for his arrest.
He is accused of failing to report the alleged interception to security agencies, in violation of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003. One of the counts also alleges the use of technical equipment capable of compromising public safety and national security.
The alleged offences are punishable under Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act.
El-Rufai has been granted bail and is expected to meet the conditions to secure his release.
Separate Corruption Charges
The former governor is also facing separate money laundering and financial misconduct charges before another court. He is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged questionable transactions involving N579 million and $320,800.
The ICPC claims El-Rufai received N579 million as severance allowance in two payments made in September 2020 and January 2023 — significantly above the approved entitlement of around N20 million. The agency has also raised concerns over multiple foreign currency inflows into his domiciliary account with Guaranty Trust Bank.
