Lawyer Inibehe Effiong Claims FG Lacks Genuine Intent to Prosecute El-Rufai
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has publicly asserted that the federal government of Nigeria shows no genuine interest in prosecuting former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, despite filing cybercrime charges against him. Effiong made these remarks during a Tuesday appearance on Channels Television, where he critically examined the seriousness of the case brought forward by federal authorities.
Questioning the Timing and Substance of Charges
Effiong emphasized that both the timing and content of the charges indicate a lack of commitment to diligent prosecution. "I am telling Nigerians that the Federal Government of Nigeria has no interest in prosecuting Nasiru El-Rufai on this issue. There are no interested in prosecuting him," he stated firmly. The lawyer pointed out that the charge sheet, filed through the Department of State Services, lacks essential investigative details expected in a serious criminal case.
He highlighted several unanswered questions from investigators, including:
- The specific nature of the alleged equipment used
- How such equipment was acquired
- Where it was kept during the alleged interception
- Who had access to the equipment
Background of the Case Against El-Rufai
The case stems from El-Rufai's public claims about the interception of phone communications belonging to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Court documents reveal that prosecutors are relying heavily on statements El-Rufai made during an appearance on Arise TV on February 13, 2026. In that interview, the former governor claimed that Ribadu's phone conversation was intercepted and that he heard instructions being issued for his detention.
The charges against El-Rufai include:
- Alleged participation in the interception of Ribadu's communications, contravening Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes Act as amended in 2024
- Failure to report an individual allegedly involved in the interception, contrary to Section 27(b) of the same law
- Actions compromising national security under provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003
No date has been fixed for El-Rufai's arraignment as of this reporting.
Political Context and Relationship Dynamics
Nasir El-Rufai, 66, was a prominent supporter of President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 election cycle under the All Progressives Congress. However, their relationship deteriorated significantly after El-Rufai's proposed ministerial appointment did not materialize. The former governor has since aligned with the opposition African Democratic Congress, where he has pledged to collaborate with other politicians to challenge Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027.
In earlier comments during a BBC Hausa interview, El-Rufai suggested that influential figures within the current administration are uneasy about his return to Nigeria. He argued that opposition efforts to unseat the government are only beginning and noted that he publicly opposed the administration from its earliest days without restraint.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, was filed on Monday, February 17, 2026, just days after El-Rufai's televised interview claims. Legal experts continue to debate the strength of the prosecution's case and whether it represents a genuine attempt at justice or political maneuvering in Nigeria's complex political landscape.
