Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has urged authorities to probe former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai following his on-air admission of intercepting a call involving Nigeria’s National Security Adviser.
In a post on his verified X account on Friday, Onanuga highlighted El-Rufai’s televised comments, questioning the implications of such actions.
“El-Rufai confesses to wire-tapping Nigeria’s NSA on TV. Does it mean that he and his collaborators have wire-tapping facilities?” Onanuga wrote, emphasizing the need for scrutiny.
Onanuga noted that the matter warrants a comprehensive review by security agencies, pointing out potential violations of privacy laws.
He argued that no individual should operate above legal boundaries, regardless of past positions.
The presidential spokesperson further insisted on accountability, stating that if the allegations hold, appropriate consequences must follow.
“This should be thoroughly investigated and punishment meted out. El-Rufai is not too big to face the wrath of the law,” Onanuga added in his social media statement.
El-Rufai made these disclosures during an appearance on Arise News Channel monitored by Persecondnews, claiming that Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, had personally directed efforts against him.
“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,” El-Rufai stated.
He elaborated that his team had accessed communications showing Ribadu’s involvement in an order for his arrest.
“He made the call. He gave the order that they should arrest me,” the former governor asserted, while admitting the illegality of such interceptions.
El-Rufai noted that unauthorized phone monitoring is commonplace in government operations, often without judicial approval.
“Because 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.
The ex-governor also alleged that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) was being manipulated by Ribadu, using the Department of State Services (DSS) to advance personal agendas.
“Subsequently, we found out that it was the ICPC that procured the DSS… and this is a modus operandi of the ICPC that increasingly has become a personal tool of Nuhu Ribadu. Nuhu made the call and made the order,” El-Rufai claimed.
In contrast, El-Rufai praised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its handling of related matters, indicating his willingness to engage with them.
“But the EFCC, I think, has shown itself to be more professional in this particular instance. And on Monday, by the grace of God, I’ll go and see them,” he said.
When questioned about the 2019 abduction of social media activist Abubakar Idris, known as Dadiyata, who vanished from his home in Kaduna and remains missing, El-Rufai denied any connection to the case.
He maintained that his government had no role in the incident.
El-Rufai suggested that Dadiyata’s criticisms were aimed elsewhere, not at Kaduna’s administration.
“Dadiyata lives in Kaduna; he was not a critic of Kaduna State. We barely knew he resided in Kaduna until his abduction was reported.
He was a critic of the Kano government at the time,” he remarked, redirecting inquiries toward Kano’s political leaders.
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