The presidency has called for a thorough investigation into former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s claim that he accessed an intercepted phone conversation of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga made the demand on Friday, February 13, shortly after El-Rufai made the allegation during an interview on Arise Television.
El-Rufai had told the programme that someone tapped Ribadu’s phone and shared the contents with him, revealing that the NSA allegedly ordered his arrest.
He acknowledged that the act was illegal but argued that the government does the same thing without consequence.
“The government does it all the time. They listen to our calls without a court order. But someone tapped his phone and told us that he gave the order,” El-Rufai said.
Onanuga responded by questioning the national security implications of the former governor’s admission.
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“El-Rufai has confessed to wire-tapping Nigeria’s NSA on TV. Does it mean that he and his collaborators have wire-tapping facilities?” Onanuga asked.
The presidential spokesperson insisted that the matter was too serious to be overlooked and demanded that those responsible be held accountable.
“This should be thoroughly investigated and punishment meted out. El-Rufai is not too big to face the wrath of the law,” Onanuga said.
The exchange marks the latest escalation in the growing confrontation between El-Rufai and the federal government.
The former governor’s phone tapping claim came just a day after his lawyer alleged that security operatives attempted to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport without a warrant and seized his passport upon his return from Egypt.
El-Rufai has accused the government of executive overreach and disregard for the rule of law, while the presidency has signalled that his actions and statements could attract further legal consequences.
Neither the office of the National Security Adviser nor the Department of State Services had commented on the matter as of the time this report was published.