President Bola Tinubu’s administration is considering an investigation into former Nasir El-Rufai’s claim that he tapped the phone of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, made the announcement on Friday, shortly after El-Rufai’s interview on Arise TV, in which the former governor admitted accessing Ribadu’s phone conversations. Onanuga also called for accountability and punishment over the matter.
In a post on X, Onanuga wrote: “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.”
During the interview, El-Rufai claimed that he and associates intercepted the NSA’s calls after an individual tapped Ribadu’s phone.
“Nuhu made the call and gave the order that I must be in custody yesterday. He made the call because we listen to their calls; the government thinks they’re the only ones who listen to calls, but we also have our ways. Someone tapped his phone and told me,” El-Rufai said while recounting his encounter with operatives of the State Security Service at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.
When the interviewer pointed out that tapping the NSA’s phone was illegal, El-Rufai acknowledged the illegality but claimed that such surveillance is routine for the government.
“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 said.
