Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday took custody of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El‑Rufai, shortly after proceedings at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
El-Rufai, who is standing trial over alleged corruption charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), had just concluded a hearing on his bail application when DSS operatives escorted him into a waiting vehicle and reportedly transported him to Abuja.
There was a heavy presence of DSS personnel around the court premises before the hearing, fueling speculation that the former governor might be taken into custody after the session.
Earlier in the day, El-Rufai arrived at the court at about 9:05 a.m. in a Hilux vehicle, attracting the attention of security operatives and observers at the venue.
Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, lead defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, confirmed that the court had reserved ruling on the bail application until April 14.
“The bail application was argued and responded to, and the ruling has been fixed for April 14,” Iyamu said.
