ICPC Confirms Custody of El-Rufai After Court Appearance, Dismisses DSS Arrest Claims

ICPC Confirms Custody of El-Rufai After Court Appearance, Dismisses DSS Arrest Claims

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been returned to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in Abuja following his court appearance in Kaduna on Wednesday.

Earlier reports had claimed that operatives of the Department of State Services took the former governor into custody immediately after the proceedings. However, sources within the DSS refuted the reports, describing them as false and misleading.

“He is not in our custody. What is being circulated is fake news. He is with the ICPC,” a DSS source clarified.

Confirming the development, ICPC spokesperson John Odey stated that El-Rufai was transported back to Abuja by the commission after the court session.

“He is with us. We brought him back to Abuja after the proceedings. He is not with the DSS. That information is false,” Odey said.

The clarification puts to rest widespread speculation on social media suggesting that the former governor had been detained by the DSS.

During the court session, proceedings focused on El-Rufai’s bail application in an ongoing corruption trial filed by the ICPC. The presiding judge, Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa, adjourned the matter and fixed April 14, 2026, for ruling on the application.

Counsel to the defendant, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), confirmed that arguments had been presented before the court and expressed optimism ahead of the ruling.

“The bail application has been fully argued, and we are hopeful as we await the court’s decision,” he said.

El-Rufai was earlier brought to court at about 9:00 a.m. under heavy security presence. Armed operatives were deployed within and around the court premises, restricting movement throughout the proceedings.