Officers of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday took a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, into custody moments after bail application was taken at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
Standing trial over alleged corruption, El-Rufai, had just concluded a hearing on his bail application when he was bundled into a waiting vehicle and driven away, reportedly heading to Abuja.
A heavy security presence around the court before the hearing had led to speculation that the former governor might be taken into custody.
The defendant had arrived at the court at about 9:05 a.m. in a Hilux van, drawing attention from security personnel and observers.
Addressing journalists after the proceedings, lead defence counsel, Oluwole Iyamu SAN, confirmed that the court had fixed April 14 for ruling on the bail application.
“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.
There is another case coming up at the Federal High Court, Abuja on April 10, 2026.
According to the defence counsel, the case is brought by the DSS.