DSS Picks Up El-Rufai After Court Grants Bail; Family Kicks

The family of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, on Monday raised concerns after officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) allegedly took him into custody following proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

According to family members, the action was contrary to existing court orders directing that el-Rufai remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Speaking outside the DSS facility, el-Rufai’s second wife, Hasiat, said the family had been living under constant pressure, threats, and surveillance since his detention.

“We now live in constant fear. Every day we get threats that DSS, ICPC or police officials are coming to raid our house. We are being followed and our phones are tapped,” she alleged.

She explained that el-Rufai had appeared before Justice Joyce AbdulMalik of the Federal High Court earlier in the day, where he was granted bail before the matter was adjourned.

According to her, during a court break, security officials attempted to move him to DSS custody despite two subsisting court orders from Kaduna directing that he remain with the ICPC.

“He told them he was not furniture to be moved around,” she said.

Hasiat further claimed that after the afternoon court session, el-Rufai was again taken to the DSS facility instead of being returned to ICPC custody as allegedly agreed.

The family also accused authorities of denying the former governor access to his personal doctors despite a Kaduna court order permitting unrestricted access to his lawyers and physicians.

El-Rufai’s son and House of Representatives member, Bello el-Rufai, described the situation as politically motivated, questioning the stringent bail conditions imposed on his father.

He alleged that the requirements were intentionally difficult to meet and accused anti-corruption agencies of harassment.

Also speaking, Senator Lawal Adamu called for el-Rufai’s immediate release, noting that the former governor voluntarily returned to Nigeria from Cairo after being invited by the ICPC.

However, security sources later confirmed that following discussions among lawyers involved in the matter, el-Rufai was eventually returned to ICPC custody on Monday evening.