By Ahmed Mohammed
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has raised doubts about the Federal Government’s seriousness in prosecuting former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged cybercrime.
El-Rufai, 66, faces charges for allegedly intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The case (FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026) was filed on Monday, shortly after El-Rufai claimed in a media interview that he had overheard instructions from the NSA to detain him.
Effiong told Channels Television that the Federal Government has shown little interest in pursuing the matter, highlighting missing details in the charges, such as the equipment used, acquisition dates, and access information.
The charges allege that El-Rufai unlawfully intercepted communications, failed to report individuals involved, and compromised public safety, citing the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
A date for his arraignment has not been fixed.
El-Rufai, who previously supported President Bola Tinubu in 2023, later became a critic after his ministerial appointment was blocked and has now joined the opposition African Democratic Congress, pledging to challenge Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Effiong argued that without proper investigative details, the prosecution lacks credibility, raising questions about the Federal Government’s intent to ensure justice in the case.
