Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have taken Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, into custody at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

El-Rufai was initially brought to court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday for a bail application. After the court reserved judgment until April 14, DSS operatives assumed custody of the former governor.

El-Rufai and Joel Adoga were arraigned on March 24 over alleged fraud and money laundering, charges to which they pleaded not guilty.

Speaking after the court proceedings, lead counsel Oluwole Iyamu expressed confidence in the upcoming ruling: “The bail application was argued and responded to. We await the court’s decision on April 14 and remain hopeful.”

Iyamu also confirmed preparations for a separate DSS case against el-Rufai in Abuja on April 10, related to alleged unlawful interception of a telephone conversation linked to comments el-Rufai made on Arise Television.