Court Grants El-Rufai Bail in Alleged NSA Phone Interception Case

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the sum of N100 million over allegations involving the interception of the phone communications of National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who presided over the matter on Monday, imposed strict conditions for the bail, including the production of a surety who must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17 and resident in Abuja’s Maitama or Asokoro districts.

The court stated that the surety must provide the original title documents of a landed property valued at not less than N100 million, alongside proof of salary payments for at least three months and an authenticated letter from a bank manager.

The judge further directed the surety to file an affidavit of means, submit a passport photograph, provide a verification letter from the relevant department, and tender a six-month tax clearance certificate.

El-Rufai was also ordered to deposit all valid international passports with the court and seek permission before travelling outside the country.

In addition, the former governor must report monthly to the DSS headquarters every last Friday at 10 a.m. pending the conclusion of the trial.

Justice Abdulmalik warned that any violation of the bail conditions would lead to immediate revocation.

The court also requested a letter of attestation from the chairman of the Kaduna Traditional Council and ordered an accelerated hearing of the matter.

El-Rufai is facing a five-count amended charge filed by the DSS under suit number FHC/ABJ/99/2026.

The agency alleged that during an interview on Arise TV on February 13, the former governor admitted having links to individuals who unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s communications.

According to the DSS, the alleged actions breached provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, as well as the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

The prosecution also accused El-Rufai of failing to report knowledge of the alleged phone interception to security agencies.

Before the amended charge was filed, the prosecution had initially arraigned him on a three-count charge.

El-Rufai has denied wrongdoing and challenged the legality of the charges, insisting that remarks made during the television interview were informal comments rather than a legal confession.

He argued before the court that statements made during a public television discussion could not satisfy the legal requirements of a confessional statement.

The former governor had earlier alleged that the DSS attempted to detain him at Abuja airport after returning from Cairo, claiming the action was politically motivated.

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