Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have taken former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, into custody shortly after a court session at the Federal High Court, Kaduna.
The former governor, who is currently facing corruption-related charges, had just concluded proceedings on his bail application when DSS operatives moved in and escorted him into a waiting vehicle.
He was subsequently driven away, with indications suggesting he was being transported to Abuja.
The bail application, filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, was argued before the court, which has now fixed April 14 for its ruling.
Lead defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, confirmed the development, stating that both sides had presented their arguments and that the legal team remains optimistic about the outcome.
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“We have made our submissions and we await the court’s decision. We are hopeful,” he said.
Iyamu also disclosed that the defence team is preparing for a separate case involving the DSS, scheduled to be heard on April 10 at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Tension had already been building ahead of Wednesday’s hearing, as a heavy presence of DSS operatives and security vehicles was observed around the court premises.
Movement was tightly controlled, with journalists and members of the public facing restricted access.
El-Rufai arrived at the court earlier in the day under tight security, drawing attention from observers amid speculation that he could be detained.
The case follows earlier proceedings at the Kaduna State High Court, where El-Rufai was arraigned alongside one Amadu Sule on charges including abuse of office, fraud, and conferring undue advantage.
Those charges are separate from the ongoing Federal High Court matter.
Wednesday’s session also comes on the heels of a previous adjournment, during which legal arguments over a motion seeking the recusal of the presiding judge, Rilwan M. Aikawa, briefly disrupted proceedings before the application was withdrawn.
With security remaining tight and legal battles unfolding across multiple fronts, attention now shifts to April 14, when the court is expected to rule on the former governor’s bail application.
