The operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, took former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, into custody shortly after proceedings at the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna ended.
El-Rufai, who is standing trial over allegation of corruption, had just concluded his bail application in the case filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) when the operatives of the DSS bundled him into a waiting vehicle and drove him away.
There was heavy presence of the DSS around the vicinity of the court before the hearing of his bail application which gave indication that the former governor might possibly be set free but taken into custody.
Security sources said the vehicles were strategically positioned within the premises of the court ahead of the proceedings.
El-Rufai, who was taken to the court at about 9:05 a.m. in a Hilux van belonging to the ICPC, drew noticeable attention from security personnel, observers and his supporters who thronged the court in solidarity.
Speaking to journalists shortly after Wednesday’s court proceedings, the counsel to the former governor, Mr. Oluwole Iyamu, SAN, said that court adjourned ruling on the bail application for his client to April 14, 2026.
Iyamu said; “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 further said that the defence team of El-Rufai is prepared for another, but related case scheduled for April 10, 2026 at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to him; “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”.
