The Department of State Services (DSS) officers on Wednesday took former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai into custody just after a hearing at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
TheNewsGuru reports that El-Rufai is on trial for alleged corruption and had just finished a hearing on his bail application, which was filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Afterwards, DSS officers escorted him to a waiting vehicle, reportedly taking him to Abuja.
Prior to this, there was a strong DSS presence around the court before the hearing, which led to speculation that the former governor could be detained.
Security sources said vehicles were placed around the court ahead of the proceedings. El-Rufai arrived at about 9:05 a.m. in a Hilux van, drawing attention from security staff and onlookers.
Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, lead defence counsel Oluwole Iyamu (SAN) confirmed that the court has fixed April 14 for ruling on the bail application. “The bail application was argued and responded to, and the ruling has been fixed for April 14. We look forward to that day. We are hopeful. We have put our arguments before the court, and this is a court of justice. We await the decision of the court,” he said.
Iyamu said the defence team is ready for another case set for April 10 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, calling it a different issue. “That is a separate matter. As lawyers, we are ready. We have filed all necessary processes and will be in court. That is the DSS matter,” he said.
This came after Tuesday’s adjournment, when lawyers argued over a motion for Judge Rilwan M. Aikawa to step down from the case. The motion was later withdrawn.
Earlier, El-Rufai and Amadu Sule appeared at the Kaduna State High Court in Kawo on charges such as abuse of office, fraud, and giving undue advantage. These charges differ from those in the Federal High Court case.
