kenneth Athekame
A storm of controversy erupted on Sunday after Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, reportedly admitted to procuring the tapping and recording of telephone conversations involving Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, prompting calls for an urgent investigation by the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Pelumi Olajengbesi, a legal practitioner and Senior Partner at Law Corridor, Abuja, described the alleged admission as “a grave criminal enterprise” that strikes at the core of Nigeria’s national security framework.
According to Olajengbesi, the alleged interception could constitute a serious offence under Section 8 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, which criminalises the unlawful interception of electronic communications without proper authorisation.
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“This is not political drama or public banter,” he said in a statement issued on Sunday. “The deliberate tapping or recording of private communications without lawful authority is a serious criminal offence. When the subject of such interception is the National Security Adviser, the implications go beyond personal privacy—they touch directly on national sovereignty and state security.”
The National Security Adviser serves as a principal custodian of sensitive intelligence and defence communications in Nigeria. Legal experts warn that any unauthorised surveillance targeting the office could raise concerns about espionage, sabotage, or unlawful intelligence gathering.
Olajengbesi called on the Office of the National Security Adviser and the DSS to launch an immediate and transparent investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged admission, identify those involved, and ensure accountability under the law.
Security analysts note that allegations involving the interception of high-level government communications are rare and carry potentially far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s intelligence architecture and political landscape.
As of press time, there has been no official response from El-Rufai or federal security agencies regarding the calls for investigation.
kenneth Athekame
Athekame Kenneth is a politics, economy, and finance reporter whose work is anchored in sharp investigative storytelling. He brings analytical depth to every piece, drawing on a strong academic foundation that includes a degree in Economics, an MBA in International Trade, and a minor in Petroleum Economics from Lagos State University, Ojo. His reporting blends rigorous research with a keen eye for hidden truths, delivering stories that illuminate power, policy, and the forces shaping everyday lives.
Source: Businessday.ng | Read the Full Story…
