Nigeria, Feb. 20 -- In the first count, the DSS alleged that El-Rufai, during a February 13 appearance on Arise TV's Prime Time programme in Abuja, admitted that he and associates unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The offence is said to be punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act, 2024.

The second count claims the former governor acknowledged knowing individuals involved in the alleged interception but failed to report them to relevant security agencies-an action the DSS says violates Section 27(b) of the same law.

In the third count, El-Rufai and others still at large are accused of deploying technical equipment in Abuja in 2026 to intercept the NSA's...