The Presidency has vowed to punish former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, for allegedly tapping, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu‘s phone.
El-Rufai had appeared on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on Friday to speak on an attempt by the Department of State Security Services (DSS) to arrest him on alleged orders of Ribadu.
The former governor said on the programme, “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.”
When the interviewer noted that tapping the NSA’s phone call was illegal, El-Rufai responded: “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.”
The former governor was involved in a heated verbal exchange with security operatives at the Abuja airport shortly after his arrival in the country on Wednesday.
Security officials briefly restrained him and reportedly confiscated his international passport before he was escorted out of the airport amid chants from supporters who had gathered to receive him.
Reacting, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidential spokesperson, expressed concern about the national security risks of the claim.
He questioned whether El-Rufai and his associates had the means to carry out such wiretapping and said the matter requires a thorough investigation to ensure accountability.
“El-Rufai has confessed to wire-tapping Nigeria’s NSA on TV. Does it mean that he and his collaborators have wire-tapping facilities?” Onanuga queried.
“This should be thoroughly investigated and punishment meted out. El-Rufai is not too big to face the wrath of the law,” the presidential spokesperson stated.
