Former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is under scrutiny following his claim that the phone of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu was bugged. During an appearance on Arise TV, El-Rufai alleged that he learned of a planned arrest upon his return to Nigeria through a leaked conversation from Ribadu’s phone.
This revelation has sparked outrage among politicians, including former Kano State governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who are now calling for an investigation into El-Rufai’s claims. Legal experts and security analysts have warned that such an interception, if true, would constitute a serious breach of national security protocols and could heighten political tensions as the country approaches the 2027 elections.
El-Rufai’s assertion that his communications were monitored has triggered a debate about the legality of such actions. The Special Adviser to the President on Information, Bayo Onanuga, called for a thorough investigation, questioning whether El-Rufai possesses capabilities for wiretapping. Meanwhile, security experts stress the critical need for an immediate forensic review of the situation to assess potential damage.
The implications of this incident extend beyond political drama, potentially affecting Nigeria’s intelligence operations and international security partnerships. Constitutional lawyer AbdulAzeez Rahman reiterated that interception of communications without lawful authority is illegal under Nigerian law.
