The Presidency on Friday called for an investigation and possible prosecution of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over what it described as an open confession of illegal wire-tapping of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam 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 wire-tapping facilities, warning that such capacity in private hands posed serious national security implications.
“El-Rufai confesses to wire-tapping Nigeria’s NSA on TV. Does it mean that he and his collaborators have wire-tapping 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 wire-tapping was technically illegal, El-Rufai said, “I know, but the government does it all the time… they tap our calls all the time without a court order.”
Onanuga’s call draws validity from the fact that the comments amounted to a bold admission of unlawful surveillance, purporting that the former governor and those involved should be made to account before the law.
It would further suggest that beyond the political undertone of El-Rufai’s claims, the more urgent issue was the security and legality of private surveillance networks allegedly targeting top state officials.
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