The presidency has demanded an investigation and possible prosecution of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai over his alleged admission of illegally wiretapping the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The call was made by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, in a post on his verified X handle, @aonanuga1956.
Onanuga said El-Rufai’s televised remarks suggested he and unnamed collaborators may have access to wiretapping facilities, warning that such capacity in private hands posed serious national security implications.
“El-Rufai confesses to wiretapping Nigeria’s NSA on TV. Does it mean that he and his collaborators have wiretapping facilities? This should be thoroughly investigated, and punishment meted out. El-Rufai is not too big to face the wrath of the law,” the presidential spokesman wrote.
The Presidency’s reaction followed El-Rufai’s comments during an interview with Arise Television’s anchor, Mr Charles Aniagolu, in which the former governor alleged that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had “procured” the Department of State Services (DSS) to “abduct” him.
In the interview, El-Rufai claimed the ICPC had become “a personal tool” of the NSA, insisting Ribadu “made the call and ordered” that he must be arrested.
When asked how he knew Ribadu made such a call, El-Rufai replied, “He made the call, because we listen to their calls. The government thinks that they’re the only ones that listen to calls, but we also have our ways. He made the call; he gave the order.”
Pressed further, “So you tapped his phone calls…??”- – El-Rufai answered, “Someone tapped his phone.”
When reminded that wiretapping was technically illegal, El-Rufai said he knew, but the government does it all the time, explaining that they tap calls all the time without a court order.