Connect with us

Crime

CSOs Demand The Immediate Arrest Of Mr. Nasir El-Rufai For Cybercrime And Subversion Of National Security

Published

on

A coalition of civil society and public interests organizations under the aegis of Campaign for Sustainable Democracy and Rights (CSDR) have demanded the immediate arrest for investigation and prosecution of the former Governor of Kaduna State and former Minister of the FCT Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and others over his self confessed crime of illegally tapping the phone of the National Security Adviser(NSA) and monitoring his conversations in the discharge of his official duties, which amounts to a breach of the Cybercrimes (Provision, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015 and a subversion of national security.

In a statement released to the press today 15th February 2026 by the coalition convener and co-convener Nelson Ekujumi and Shola Omolola, it expressed disbelief, anger, pain and trauma just like millions of Nigerians and people all over the world by the self confession of Mr El-Rufai on a national TV programme that he and others listens illegally to the phone conversation of the national security adviser Mr Nuhu Ribadu.

According to the press statement, “We are shocked and traumatized by the self confession on national TV programme of Mr El-Rufai to this act of criminality and subversion of national security”.

The coalition went further to assert that it’s a known fact that in Nigeria just like it is globally, “The tapping of citizens’ phone conversations is regulated by a combination of constitutional rights, statutory acts, and specific subsidiary regulations that empower law enforcement to monitor communications under specific circumstances”.

Section 37 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, guarantees the privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic communications.

See also  PHOTOS: Bandits release photos of abducted Kaduna Anglican priest and his wife after demanding N600m ransom

However, section 45 of the same constitution, qualifies the right to privacy, allowing the state to restrict this right through laws that are “reasonably justifiable in a democratic society” for reasons of defense, public safety, public order or to protect the rights of others.

As a country governed by laws, pursuant to the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, authorized agencies (such as the Office of the National Security Adviser, State Security Service, and Nigeria Police Force) must obtain a warrant from a judge of the Federal High Court to intercept communications. However, interceptions without a warrant is allowed in urgent, limited situations—such as immediate danger of death/injury, national security threats, or organized crime—but the agency must apply for a warrant within 48 hours.

Again under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015

Section 39: Authorizes law enforcement to compel service providers to intercept, collect, or record the content and traffic data of specified communications if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a crime is being committed.

According to same section, unauthorized interception of electronic communications is a criminal offense, carrying penalties of fines and/or imprisonment.

Therefore as a coalition of groups made up of Nigerians, following from the above citations of relevant sections of the law, we are at a loss to rationalize “Where in the 1999 constitution of Nigeria as amended, Mr Nasir El-Rufai derived the powers to commit Cybercrime and subvert national security with others that he must be immediately arrested to name, investigated and prosecuted according to law?

The coalition also stated that, “The arrest and investigation for prosecution for this crime of subversion of national security by Mr Nasir El-Rufai and his cohorts, might be the sealant to plugging the gaping hole in our security challenges occasioned by terrorism and banditry for which they could have been illegally tapping the NSA phone conversations and leaking sensitive security information to terrorists and bandits to continue to unleash havoc on Nigerians”.

See also  Canadian court deports Ondo pastor for bribing Nigerian police, fabricating asylum claim

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Nelson Ekujumi
(convener)
Shola Omolola
(Co-convener)

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime

Police nab two suspected vandals at accident scene in Akwa Ibom 

Published

on

Officers of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have apprehended suspected vandals in connection with the looting and theft of items from a truck involved in an accident along the Calabar–Itu Highway.

A statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, in Uyo on Monday said the suspects were arrested on Sunday, while vandalising and stealing from a truck that had fallen into a valley at the Afaha community located along the Highway.

According to the statement, the operatives, after credible intelligence, mobilised to the scene and arrested one Adamu Hamza, aged 19, and a native of Maiduguri, Borno State, who was found in possession of four suspected stolen truck tyres.

In a follow-up operation, they also arrested the tricycle operator, one Anthony James, who was allegedly used to convey the stolen items from the scene.

The statement reads in part, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the arrest of suspected vandals involved in the looting and theft of items from an accidented truck along the Calabar–Itu Highway.

“On 10th May, 2026, at about 22:00 hours, Operatives of the Command acted swiftly on credible intelligence received through a tricycle operator regarding the activities of criminal elements vandalizing and stealing from a truck that had fallen into a valley at Afaha along the Calabar–Itu Highway.

“Acting promptly on the information, Police operatives mobilized to the scene and successfully arrested one Adamu Hamza ‘M’, aged 19, a native of Maiduguri, in possession of four suspected stolen truck tyres, with the value yet to be ascertained.

See also  PHOTOS: NDLEA Nabs 80-Year-Old Drug Lord Again, Intercepts Tramadol-Laced Mannequins

“Further investigation led to the arrest of the tricycle operator, one Anthony James, who was allegedly used to convey the stolen items from the scene.”

DSP John, who disclosed that the suspects are currently in Police custody, noted that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing accomplices connected to the criminal act.

She stated that the commissioner of police in the state, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has warned all criminal elements to desist from looting accident scenes, and has also reiterated the command’s commitment to strengthening its surveillance and deploying intelligence-driven policing strategies to safeguard lives and property across the state.

She called on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, urging them to remain law-abiding and security-conscious at all times.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Crime

One injured, residents flee as gunmen attack Rivers security outfit

Published

on

Gunmen have opened fire on the head office of a local security outfit, codenamed OSPAC, at Erema Street in Omoku town, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, injuring one officer. OSPAC is the acronym for Onelga Security and Peace Advisory Committee.

It was gathered that the incident which occurred at about 8:10pm on Saturday night caused pandemonium as residents and passersby scampered for safety.

Though the reason for the attack could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that the assailants rode on two cars, one of which was an ash-coloured Lexus Jeep.

Speaking to newsmen on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer of the security outfit in Rivers State, Godknows Nkem, said its office is a place where people come to lodge various complaints.

Nkem, however, expressed surprise how the gunmen drove into the office and started shooting indiscriminately, leaving one of its personnel with an ankle injury.

He stated, “At that hour of the day, the gunmen drove in and started shooting sporadically. Nobody died, but one of our personnel sustained a bullet injury on his ankle. Our station guards later repelled the attack.

“The fear of OSPAC is the beginning of wisdom in the entire Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA and Rivers State at large. Just that for the past eight months we came on board, our welfare has not been catered for. We have been struggling to survive.”

The state OSPAC image maker however urged residents of ONELGA to be law abiding and go about their normal activities without fear and assured that the perpetrators will be fished out.

See also  US charges three Nigerians for alleged fraud

When contacted on Sunday afternoon, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the attack on the vigilante office, saying investigation is ongoing.

Agabe stated, “I can confirm the incident. No arrest for now because the incident happened late in the night, but investigation is ongoing to unmask the identities of the perpetrators with a view to bringing them to justice.”

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Crime

Another suspect charged over killing of UK-based Nigerian teenager

Published

on

The Metropolitan Police Service has said a second teenager has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 14-year-old British-Nigerian, Eghosa Ogbebor, in the Woolwich area of London.

The police disclosed this in a statement obtained on its website on Sunday, noting that the latest suspect, a 15-year-old boy whose identity was withheld for legal reasons, was arrested on Wednesday, May 6, and subsequently charged with murder.

PUNCH Metro had earlier reported that Eghosa was shot dead in Woolwich on April 2, with three teenagers initially arrested in connection with the incident.

The Metropolitan Police had said officers responded to reports of the shooting at about 3:40 pm and met the victim with gunshot injuries. Despite efforts by emergency responders, he was confirmed dead at the scene.

Giving an update, the police said the new suspect was scheduled to appear before the Barkingside Youth Court.

The statement noted that investigations into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, April 2, commenced after officers were called to Lord Warwick Street following reports of a shooting.

It added that officers, alongside paramedics from the London Ambulance Service, attended the scene and found Eghosa with severe injuries.

The statement read, “A boy has been charged in connection with the murder of 14-year-old Eghosa Ogbebor in Woolwich.

“An investigation was launched on Thursday, April 2, after police were called to Lord Warwick Street following reports of a shooting.

“Officers attended with the London Ambulance Service and located Eghosa with serious injuries. He sadly died at the scene.”

See also  PHOTOS: NDLEA Nabs 80-Year-Old Drug Lord Again, Intercepts Tramadol-Laced Mannequins

The Metropolitan Police added that Eghosa’s family continues to receive support from specially trained officers.

The statement further disclosed that this is the second charge filed in connection with the killing.

It noted that a 16-year-old boy from Romford had earlier been charged with murder on Friday, April 10, and was remanded in custody after appearing before the Thames Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, April 11.

The police added that several other suspects arrested in connection with the case had been released on bail pending further investigations.

“On Saturday, April 4, officers arrested a 19-year-old man in Woolwich on suspicion of murder. A 46-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. They have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

“Two boys, aged 14 and 16, and an 18-year-old man, were arrested on Friday, April 3, in connection with Eghosa’s death. They have also been bailed pending further enquiries. The investigation remains ongoing,” the statement added.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Trending