Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has come under intense criticism following his claim that the phone of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, was bugged.
Presidential aides, politicians and legal experts have called for an investigation into the allegation, arguing that El-Rufai’s public remarks warrant scrutiny. Among those who weighed in was former Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, alongside several security analysts who described the disclosure as troubling.
El-Rufai made the claim during an appearance on Arise TV on Friday. He alleged that he became aware of a purported plan to arrest him upon his return to Nigeria through a leaked phone conversation involving the NSA.
“Ribadu made the call because we listened 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 that they should arrest me,” El-Rufai said.
He acknowledged that intercepting such communications would be technically illegal but claimed that government agencies routinely monitor calls without court orders.
“That technically is illegal. I know, but the government does it all the time. They listen to our calls all the time without a court order. But someone tapped his phone and told us that he gave the order,” he added.
