DSS Takes Custody of el-Rufai as Court Fixes April 14 for Bail Ruling

DSS Takes Custody of el-Rufai as Court Fixes April 14 for Bail Ruling

Operatives of the Department of State Services have taken custody of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following proceedings at the Federal High Court in Kaduna where his bail application was heard.

El-Rufai was brought to court on Wednesday by officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), where he is standing trial alongside one Joel Adoga over alleged fraud and money laundering.

After hearing arguments from both prosecution and defence, the court adjourned ruling on the bail application to April 14. Shortly after the session, DSS operatives took custody of the former governor.

El-Rufai and his co-defendant were arraigned on March 24 on charges bordering on financial misconduct, to which they both pleaded not guilty.

Speaking to journalists after the hearing, his lead counsel, Oluwole Iyamu, said the defence had made its case and remains optimistic about the outcome.

“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,” he said.

Iyamu added that the defence team had presented all necessary arguments before the court and would await its decision.

He also confirmed that El-Rufai faces a separate legal matter involving the DSS at the Federal High Court in Abuja, scheduled for April 10.

“That is a separate matter. As lawyers, we are ready. We have filed all necessary processes and will be in court,” he said.

The DSS had earlier filed a three-count charge against the former governor in February over alleged unlawful interception of a telephone conversation.

The charge followed comments El-Rufai made during an appearance on an Arise Television programme, where he claimed that a phone conversation involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, had been secretly monitored.

The ongoing legal battles mark a fresh twist in the former governor’s post-office challenges, with proceedings in both Kaduna and Abuja courts expected to shape the next phase of the case.