DSS to Arraign Nasir el-Rufai on February 25

Nigeria’s political space is once again tense as the Department of State Services prepares to arraign former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The case, which centers on alleged cybercrime and breach of national security, adds another serious chapter to the unfolding legal troubles of one of Nigeria’s most outspoken political figures.

According to official filings, el-Rufai will appear before Joyce Abdulmalik at the Federal High Court Abuja. The DSS alleges that the former governor was involved in unlawfully intercepting sensitive telephone conversations linked to national security.

The matter gained public attention after el-Rufai revealed, during an interview on Prime Time on Arise Television, that he had listened to a phone call involving Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser. In that interview, el-Rufai claimed the call revealed instructions for security operatives to arrest him, a statement that quickly raised legal and security concerns.

Days earlier, on February 18, the DSS had briefly taken el-Rufai into custody following his release from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, where he reportedly spent two nights. Shortly after, the DSS filed a three-count charge accusing him of intercepting the NSA’s telephone conversation, a serious allegation under Nigeria’s cybercrime and national security laws.

Beyond the DSS case, el-Rufai is also being held by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over alleged corruption linked to his time as governor of Kaduna State. The overlapping investigations suggest a widening legal net around the former minister and governor.

As February 25 approaches, the arraignment is expected to draw national attention. For supporters, it is a troubling moment that raises questions about power, politics, and accountability. For critics, it is a test of the rule of law and whether high-profile figures will be held responsible for actions that touch on national security. Either way, the courtroom will soon become the next stage in a story that continues to grip the country.