ABUJA: Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El‑Rufai, says he listened to an intercepted phone conversation allegedly involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in which he claimed an order for his arrest was given.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, El-Rufai said the call was accessed after someone tapped Ribadu’s phone.
He admitted the act was illegal but argued that governments routinely monitor communications. Nasir El‑Rufai Claims Phone Tap Revealed Alleged Arrest Order by Nuhu Ribadu
Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El‑Rufai, says he listened to an intercepted phone conversation allegedly involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in which he claimed an order for his arrest was given.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, El-Rufai said the call was accessed after someone tapped Ribadu’s phone. He admitted the act was illegal but argued that governments routinely monitor communications.
According to him, the alleged interception showed that authorities were not the only ones capable of tracking calls, insisting that he was informed about the supposed directive through that channel.
The claim drew a swift reaction from Temitope Ajayi, senior special assistant to President Bola Tinubu on media and publicity. Ajayi said El-Rufai had publicly admitted to benefiting from an unlawful phone tap and suggested the matter could warrant investigation.
He added that if questioned by authorities, the former governor might interpret such action as political persecution.
The controversy has since sparked debate over surveillance practices, legality of phone interception, and the broader political tensions surrounding Nigeria’s security and governance issues.
According to him, the alleged interception showed that authorities were not the only ones capable of tracking calls, insisting that he was informed about the supposed directive through that channel.
The claim drew a swift reaction from Temitope Ajayi, senior special assistant to President Bola Tinubu on media and publicity.
Ajayi said El-Rufai had publicly admitted to benefiting from an unlawful phone tap and suggested the matter could warrant investigation.
He added that if questioned by authorities, the former governor might interpret such action as political persecution.
The controversy has since sparked debate over surveillance practices, legality of phone interception, and the broader political tensions surrounding Nigeria’s security and governance issues.
