The Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, was taken into custody by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday shortly after proceedings at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

El-Rufai, who is facing corruption charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), had just concluded a hearing on his bail application when DSS personnel escorted him into a waiting vehicle and drove him away, reportedly to Abuja.

Security presence around the court premises had been noticeably heavy before the hearing began, fueling speculation that the former governor might be detained after the session.

Earlier in the day, El-Rufai arrived at the court around 9:05 a.m. in a Hilux vehicle, drawing attention from security operatives and observers at the venue.

Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, lead defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), confirmed that the court adjourned ruling on the bail application until April 14.

“The bail application was argued and responded to, and the ruling has been fixed for April 14,” Iyamu said.