Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday evening, February 18, shortly after he was granted bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
ICPC spokesperson Okor Odey confirmed the arrest in a statement on Thursday, February 19, describing it as a continuation of the legal process.
El-Rufai was reportedly detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly intercepting the private communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The matter arose after El-Rufai, during a live interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme on February 13, allegedly admitted to unlawfully accessing the NSA’s phone communications with associates.
Authorities say the alleged act violated Nigeria’s cybercrime and communications laws and posed a risk to national security and public safety.
Opposition figures have described the detention as politically motivated, claiming El-Rufai is being unfairly targeted for opposing the ruling government.