The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday took custody of former Nasir El-Rufai shortly after proceedings at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
El-Rufai, who is standing trial over alleged corruption, had just concluded a hearing on his bail application filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) when DSS operatives escorted him into a waiting vehicle reportedly headed for Abuja.
Security around the court had been notably tight prior to the hearing, raising speculation that the former governor might be taken into custody. El-Rufai arrived at the court around 9:05 a.m. in a Hilux van, drawing attention from both security personnel and onlookers.
After the proceedings, lead defence counsel Oluwole Iyamu confirmed to journalists that the court had fixed April 14 for the ruling on the bail application.
“The bail application was argued and responded to, and the ruling has been fixed for April 14,” he stated.
The case continues to attract national attention as the legal process unfolds.