Kaduna, April 1, 2026 – Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have taken former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, into custody shortly after his appearance at the Federal High Court in Kaduna for a bail hearing on corruption charges.
El-Rufai arrived at the court premises around 9:05 a.m. amid heavy security presence. The court, presided over by Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa, heard arguments on his bail application filed in response to charges brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
After listening to submissions from both the prosecution and the defence team, the judge adjourned the matter to Tuesday, April 14, 2026, for a ruling on whether El-Rufai will be granted bail.
Following the proceedings, DSS operatives reportedly escorted the former governor into a waiting vehicle. Sources indicate he was being moved toward Abuja. Lead defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), confirmed the adjournment to journalists, expressing optimism about the upcoming ruling.
Details of the Charges
El-Rufai is facing multiple corruption-related allegations, including money laundering, abuse of office, fraud, criminal breach of trust, and conferring undue advantage on others. The ICPC has filed charges at both the Federal High Court and the Kaduna State High Court.
He was earlier granted temporary administrative bail by the ICPC to enable him to attend the funeral of his late mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, but was returned to custody afterward. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
A separate matter involving the DSS is scheduled for April 10 in Abuja.
Security was tight throughout the day, with restricted access to the courtroom and surrounding areas. Journalists faced limitations in covering the proceedings fully.
This latest development comes as El-Rufai battles multiple legal cases stemming from his tenure as Governor of Kaduna State (2015–2023). The case continues to attract widespread public and political interest.
Further updates are expected as the April 14 ruling approaches and related proceedings unfold.
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