Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, has called for a thorough investigation into Nasir el-Rufai’s admission that he accessed an intercepted phone conversation involving Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA).
In a post on X, Onanuga described el-Rufai’s disclosure as a “confession” and questioned whether the former Kaduna governor and his unnamed “collaborators” possess wire-tapping facilities.
“El-Rufai confesses to wire-tapping Nigeria’s NSA on TV. Does it mean that he and his collaborators have wire-tapping facilities?” Onanuga asked.
“This should be thoroughly investigated and punishment meted out. El-Rufai is not too big to face the wrath of the law.”
During an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, the ex-governor said “someone tapped” Ribadu’s phone, allowing him to listen to a conversation in which the NSA “ordered” his arrest.
El-Rufai acknowledged the action was illegal but claimed the government routinely engages in similar practices without court orders.
“The government thinks they are the only ones that listen to calls, but we also have our ways,” el-Rufai said.
