By Dennis Okechukwu
Growing public outcry has intensified over an admission by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai that he once intercepted the phone line of former national security adviser Nuhu Ribadu, with many Nigerians demanding his arrest and prosecution for what they describe as a criminal breach of privacy and national law.
El-Rufai made the revelation during a recent media appearance, saying he had “hacked” Ribadu’s phone line during a period of political disagreement between the two leaders. The comments have since triggered widespread debate, with legal experts, civil society activists, and ordinary citizens questioning the legality and ethics of such action.
Human rights advocates and digital privacy campaigners have condemned the admission, arguing that phone interception without a valid court order is illegal under Nigerian law. “No one — whether a public official or private citizen — should claim the right to violate another person’s constitutional rights,” said one rights group representative. “This kind of behaviour undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent.”
Fred Chukwuelobe wrote: “Let that sink in for a moment: a former governor, on national television, openly admitting to a criminal act, without flinching…I say this without equivocation: we must confront and defeat this culture of selective justice. The El-Rufai episode should force deep national introspection. We cannot continue to apply one standard to the powerful and another to the powerless, especially when those concerned are from certain “privileged” backgrounds. If Nigeria must survive as a nation, the rules must mean the same thing for everyone.
“El-Rufai’s confession is not a joke. It is an admission of a crime. And in any society that takes itself seriously, such an admission demands consequences.”
Political commentators and critics have echoed these concerns, saying El-Rufai’s remarks, if true, could amount to criminal conduct. Some legal experts have stated that unauthorised wiretapping or hacking of communications is prosecutable under existing telecommunications and privacy laws.
Social media platforms and opinion columns across major Nigerian news outlets have been flooded with calls for the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant authorities to investigate the claim and, if necessary, arrest and prosecute El-Rufai. “An admission of phone hacking is not trivial,” said one commentator. “It deserves full legal scrutiny.”
At the same time, some voices within political circles have urged restraint and due process, arguing that the full context of El-Rufai’s remarks should be established before any legal action is taken.
As the debate continues, legal analysts are watching closely to see whether the controversy will translate into formal charges or judicial proceedings. Many Nigerians say the outcome will be an important test of the country’s commitment to justice, accountability, and respect for individual rights