DSS Arrests Nasir El-Rufai Immediately After Release By The EFCC

 

On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) granted bail to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State.

But he was immediately arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly intercepting the communication of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

There were indications that he might be arraigned in court today on a  three-count charge already filed against him at the Federal High Court,  Abuja Division.

According to a source, El-Rufai was given liberal bail conditions by EFCC in view of his two outstanding cases with DSS and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The EFCC also took notice of the fact that the DSS has seized his passport to restrict his movement to the country.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said the ex-governor was allowed to regain freedom at about 7.30 PM after perfecting his papers.

He said: “The former governor has been released on bail with an undertaking to make himself available anytime he is needed to clarify issues and sort out documents.

“The EFCC did not impose stringent bail conditions because he has multiple  cases with different security and anti-graft agencies.  There are similarities and meeting points on bail terms. Not only that, the court is the arbiter which will determine his fate.

“He has more allegations to respond to. We have done a bit, we granted him reprieve to enable him to attend to other cases.”

The ex-governor barely breathed air of freedom when he was arrested by the DSS upon coming out of the gate of the EFCC.

A security source, who confirmed the arrest, said El-Rufai was picked up to “enable him make statement on certain wire communication by the NSA.” 

“He granted an interview on a national television. DSS investigators will interact with him on the details in his possession and the source of his information.

“It is also a legal precondition for his arraignment in court. We are legally bound to obtain his statement on oath because his allegations are weighty security matters.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The ex-governor might be taken to court on Thursday, February 19, 2026, on charges preferred against him.”

The counts in the charge read:

●That you, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, adult, male, on 13th February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did admit during the interview that you and your cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.

●That you, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, adult, male, on 13th February, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did state during the interview that you know and relate with certain individual, who unlawfully intercepted the phone Communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, without reporting the said individual to relevant security agencies and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27 (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.

●That you, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, adult, male, and other still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, with others still at large did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety, national security and instilling

reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to which you admitted during an interview on 13th February, 2026, on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

Section 12 (1) of the Cyber- crime Act provides for a two-year jail term or ₦5 million fine or both on conviction;

Section 131 (2) of the Nigerian Communications Act stipulates a fine not exceeding

₦100,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both.