A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has dismissed a N120 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, against the Department of State Services (DSS) and three other respondents over alleged unlawful wiretapping-related actions.

The presiding judge, Sylvanus Oriji, dismissed the suit on Monday, ruling that it lacked merit.

The court also awarded N200,000 in costs against el-Rufai in favour of each of the four respondents: the DSS, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

In his judgment, Justice Oriji held that invitation letters issued to the former governor by the EFCC and ICPC to answer questions concerning allegations against him did not violate his fundamental rights.

The judge said the agencies acted within their statutory mandates by inviting el-Rufai to provide information on matters under investigation.

On the DSS’s attempted arrest of the former governor at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the court upheld the agency’s position that it had the statutory authority to place persons of interest on its watchlist and arrest them where necessary.

Justice Oriji also rejected el-Rufai’s argument that the attempted arrest was unlawful because the agency had no warrant, holding that the DSS could act within the legal framework governing its operations, including the National Security Agencies Act.

The court further ruled that el-Rufai could not use judicial proceedings to prevent security and anti-corruption agencies from performing their statutory duties.

On the seizure of his international passport by the DSS, the judge held that the court was satisfied that the action was lawful and within the agency’s powers.

He added that el-Rufai had failed to provide evidence establishing that the seizure was continuous, permanent and unlawful.

The court consequently dismissed the suit in its entirety.

Meanwhile, the former governor is standing trial on a five-count amended charge filed by the DSS over allegations that he unlawfully intercepted telephone conversations linked to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

In February 2026, during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, el-Rufai alleged that an unidentified person had wiretapped Ribadu’s telephone, enabling him to listen to the NSA instructing security operatives to arrest him.

The allegations surrounding the alleged interception of the telephone conversation form part of the wider legal controversy involving the former governor and the security agency.