Group cites constitutional and cybercrime laws, urges authorities to investigate claims involving NSA Nuhu Ribadu and possible national security implications….
A coalition of civil society and public interest organisations under the aegis of Campaign for Sustainable Democracy and Rights (CSDR) has called for the immediate arrest, investigation, and prosecution of former Governor of Kaduna State and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, over his alleged self-confessed illegal interception of the phone conversations of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
In a press statement released on 15th February 2026, the coalition’s Convener, Nelson Ekujumi, and Co-Convener, Shola Omolola, expressed shock, concern, and deep worry over what they described as a disturbing admission made by El-Rufai during a national television programme, where he allegedly stated that he and others illegally monitored the private communications of the National Security Adviser while he carried out his official duties.
According to the coalition:
“We are shocked and deeply concerned by the alleged confession on national television by Mr. Nasir El-Rufai to acts that amount to criminality and subversion of national security.”
The statement noted that in Nigeria as is the case globally, the interception of telephone communications is strictly regulated by constitutional provisions, statutory laws, and established procedures that only empower authorised security agencies to monitor communications under clearly defined circumstances.
The coalition referenced Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantees the privacy of citizens, including their homes, correspondence, and telephone conversations. It also acknowledged Section 45 of the Constitution, which permits lawful restrictions on privacy only where such limitations are reasonably justifiable in a democratic society in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, or the protection of others’ rights.
The statement further cited provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act (2003), which require authorised agencies such as the Office of the National Security Adviser, the State Security Service, and the Nigeria Police Force to obtain a warrant from a Federal High Court judge before intercepting communications, except in limited and urgent circumstances involving immediate threats to life, national security, or organised crime. In such emergency cases, a warrant must be sought within 48 hours.
The coalition also referenced the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, particularly Section 39, which authorises law enforcement agencies to intercept communications only where lawful grounds exist and criminalises unauthorised interception, with penalties including fines and imprisonment.
The coalition stated:
“Based on the above legal provisions, we are unable to understand under what constitutional or legal authority Mr. Nasir El-Rufai allegedly assumed the power to intercept communications in a manner that constitutes cybercrime and threatens national security. We therefore demand his immediate arrest, investigation, and prosecution in accordance with the law.”
The coalition further warned that failure to properly investigate the matter could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges, suggesting that unauthorised interception and potential leakage of sensitive security information could undermine efforts to combat terrorism and banditry.
The statement concluded with a call for strict adherence to the rule of law and accountability in matters affecting national security.
