A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday heard that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai admitted, in a television interview, that he intercepted the phone conversations of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

The second prosecution witness in El-Rufai’s ongoing trial, Deji Adeyanju, told the court that he was at the same television station, awaiting his turn to be interviewed on February 16, the day El-Rufai allegedly made the administration on the same station.

Led in evidence by the prosecution’s lawyer, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), the witness quoted El-Rufai as saying in the course of the television interview: “We listened to the conversations of the NSA.”

El-Rufai is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over his alleged contravention of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act (2024) and the Nigerian Communications Act (2003) following his alleged interception of Ribadu’s phone conversations and compromising public safety, national security and instilling reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians.

Adeyanju, a subpoenaed witness, said he knew El-Rufai as a former governor of Kaduna State, adding that he issued a statement following reports that the former governor was to be arrested by security operatives.

Shortly after the television interview in which El-Rufai featured was played in the open court, Adeyanju confirmed it to be the one he saw in which the ex-governor allegedly admitted to the act.

Aladedoye also tendered a video recording of the interview featuring Adeyanju, which the court admitted.

Adeyanju said the DSS invited him after television interview and was asked to explain what happened while he was at the television studio.

The witness said he told investigators that he was present when El-Rufai made the statements on air and that when pressed further, in the course of the interview, the ex-governor said someone did the phone tapping and passed the information to him.

During cross-examination by El-Rufai’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro (SAN), Adeyanju said he did not hear El-Rufai specifically say he hacked Ribadu’s phone lines but that he heard him say, “We listened to the conversations of the NSA.”

When asked whether or not he knew the means through which the NSA makes calls and if he would be surprised to learn that DSS investigators did not ask the NSA which of his devices was allegedly compromised, the witness said those were not his business.

The prosecution tendered an official gazette without objection from the defence. Following this, the court admitted it in evidence.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik has adjourned further hearing till today.

El-Rufai is facing a three-count charge.

* That you, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, adult, male, on February 13, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s “Prime Time” programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did admit during the interview that you and your cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.

* That you, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, adult, male, on February 13, 2026, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s “Prime Time” programme in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did state during the interview that you know and relate with certain individual, who unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, without reporting the said individual to relevant security agencies and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 27 (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.

* That you, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, adult, male, and other still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, with others still at large did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety, national security and instilling reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to which you admitted during an interview on February 13, 2026, on Arise TV station’s “Prime Time” programme in Abuja and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.

The other political parties the court directed the electoral body to deregister are the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The court order followed a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu.

The National Forum of Former Legislators had, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, prayed the court to determine whether INEC has a constitutional obligation to remove political parties that fail to meet the electoral performance thresholds set out in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as reinforced by the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s regulations.

It was the position of the plaintiff that the five political parties listed as defendants in the matter had persistently failed to meet the constitutional benchmarks required to retain their registration.

The former legislators stressed that the requirements include winning at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or securing at least one elective seat at the national, state, or local government level.

They told the court that the ADC and the four other parties performed poorly in both the 2023 general elections and by-elections conducted by INEC, thereby failing to win seats across key tiers of government.

The litigants insisted that the continued existence of the ADC and the other defendants as recognised political parties is unlawful and undermines the integrity of the country’s electoral system.

Among other reliefs, the plaintiff urged the court to declare that INEC is duty-bound to deregister such parties.

It further urged the court to compel the commission to deregister the five political parties before preparations for the 2027 elections advance further.

Beyond declaratory reliefs, the plaintiff prayed the court to restrain the five affected parties from participating in general elections or engaging in political activities such as campaigns, rallies, and primaries.

It also sought a court injunction restraining INEC from recognising or dealing with the parties in any official capacity unless and until they strictly comply with constitutional provisions.

The judgment may affect the chances of candidates of the affected political parties, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to contest the 2027 presidential poll.

President honours Gens. Yar’Adua, Williams, Igbokwe, media moguls, activists, other heros
With a call on Nigerians to unite in the fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reflected on the nation’s 27 years of uninterrupted democracy.

He said such joint efforts had become imperative because the battle against insecurity cannot be left to the government alone.

The President listed some deserving individuals, including the late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Gen. Ishola Williams, media executives, rights crusaders and others for national honours.

In his Democracy Day broadcast this morning, the President urged citizens to avoid ethnic profiling and blame games in the face of security challenges.

He assured that the country would emerge stronger and more united after overcoming terrorism.

He said: “At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity.

“We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history.

“We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.”

The President spoke against the backdrop of recent abductions in Oyo and Borno states.

He described the incidents as a painful reminder that democracy cannot thrive without security.

Expressing optimism that the abducted children would regain their freedom, Tinubu stressed that his administration had responded decisively by declaring a security emergency and approving the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers and thousands of military personnel.

Besides, he said the government allocated N5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 Budget, describing it as the largest security vote ever.

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“Democracy without security is a mirage,” he said, noting that the allocation represents the biggest defence and security budget in Nigeria’s history.

Tinubu said the country had moved beyond conventional military training exercises with international partners to precision targeting of terrorist networks, citing the degradation of an ISWAP command centre in Arege, Borno State, as evidence of progress.

Reflecting on the democratic journey, Tinubu said the country had enjoyed its longest uninterrupted period of civilian rule, spanning 27 years since the return to democratic governance in 1999.

He noted that despite its imperfections, Nigeria’s democracy remained resilient because citizens had consistently chosen leaders through the ballot box, resolved disputes through legal institutions and ensured peaceful transitions of power.

Ahead of the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, the President urged stakeholders to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and political parties to ensure peaceful and credible polls, warning that democracy suffers whenever citizens lose confidence in elections.

The Ekiti governorship election will be held on June 20, while the Osun poll is scheduled for August 15.

Tinubu challenged the National Assembly, the Judiciary, the media and civil society organisations to continue serving as guardians of democratic governance.

“Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria,” he said.

On youths, the President urged them to see the country as their future and contribute actively to national development rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere.

He said: “Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.”

The President also commended members of the armed forces, police, intelligence agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community heads for their roles in promoting peace and national cohesion.

The President paid glowing tribute to Nigerians who endured imprisonment, exile, persecution and death during the struggle for democracy, describing them as heroes whose sacrifices made the current democratic dispensation possible.

He saluted the late winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, and his deceased spouse, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, alongside other democracy vanguards.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018 signed an Executive Order proclaiming June 12, the date of the historic election won by Abiola but annulled by the military, as Democracy Day. It has since been observed as a public holiday.

Those listed for national recognition include Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Senator Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Chief Frank Kokori, Chief Arthur Nwankwo, Mr. Chima Ubani and Gen. Yar’Adua.

Tinubu also announced national honours for many journalists, activists, lawyers, politicians and civil society leaders who suffered persecution, detention, exile and other hardships during the struggle against military rule.

Many military officers who were persecuted during the pro-democracy struggle were also honoured.

They are Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Osa Director, Richard Akinnola, George Mbah, Niran Malaolu, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Jenkins Alumona, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, Ike Okonta and Ben Charles-Obi (posthumous).

Activists on the list are Debo Adeniran, Ayo Opadokun, Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Sylvester Odion-Akhaine and Arthur Nwankwo (posthumous).

Others are Osagie Obayuwana, Joe Okei-Odumakin, Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Maj.-Gen. Ishola Williams (retd) and Femi Aborisade.

The President equally recognised many military officers, including Maj.-Gen. M.A. Garba, Brig.-Gen. Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Col. Umar Farouk Ahmed, Col. Sambo Dasuki, Col. Lawan Gwadabe, Brig. Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Col. Musa Shehu, Maj.-Gen. Chris Eze, Maj.-Gen. Harris Dzarma, Col. Isa Jibrin, Maj.-Gen. Joseph Oshanupin, Col. Olusegun Oloruntoba, Lt.-Col. Happy Kefas Bulus, Col. J. Okai, Col. Emmanuel Ndubueze, Lt.-Col. Yakubu Muazu and Brig. Yahaya Abubakar, who is the Etsu Nupe.

The President added: “Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership.

“In recognition of his contributions, the Federal Government has approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.”

Tinubu said the full honours list would be released in the coming days.

According to him, the greatest tribute Nigerians can pay to the heroes is to build a nation where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunities are expanded, and government remains accountable to the people.

June 12, he believes, demonstrates the possibility of a united Nigerian nation, noting that while the heroes of that struggle secured political freedom, the responsibility of the present generation is to secure economic freedom.

‘Reforms necessary’

He defended the economic reforms undertaken by his administration, arguing that they were necessary to rescue the country from severe fiscal strain and economic uncertainty.

The President said the reforms had restored stability and credibility to economic management, increased federation revenues, improved fiscal transparency and attracted fresh investments into agriculture, manufacturing, energy, technology, mining, transportation and the creative sector.

He added that domestic refining capacity had expanded significantly, enhancing energy security and reducing dependence on imported petroleum products.

‘We’ll deliver on electricity supply’

On electricity, Tinubu said his administration inherited a sector plagued by inadequate generation, weak transmission infrastructure, huge distribution losses, a metering deficit exceeding four million customers and massive legacy debts.

He noted that the Electricity Act signed by his administration had empowered states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity, while the Presidential Power Sector Task Force had been mandated to tackle the metering gap and raise a N4 trillion bond to settle verified debts in the sector.

The President said the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), with support from the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB), was extending off-grid and mini-grid electricity projects to underserved communities, educational institutions, markets and hospitals across the country.

“Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian. We intend to deliver it,” he said.

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Highlighting ongoing projects, the President said they were creating jobs, improving connectivity and opening new opportunities for enterprise.

He said the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) was deploying 10,000 tractors over five years, while over 1,000 small and medium enterprises had been certified for export.

He added that non-oil exports grew by 21 per cent in the past year.

Despite the progress, the President acknowledged that many Nigerians continued to face economic hardship.

He assured citizens that the government remained focused on reducing inflation, increasing food production, creating jobs, improving living standards and ensuring that the benefits of economic reforms reached every household.

“We are moving from uncertainty to stability. The next phase is about accelerating growth and ensuring the benefits are felt in every home, every community and every region. We believe that democracy must be felt in the pocket,” he said.