El-Rufai To Spend Days In DSS Custody As Court Fixes April 14 For Ex-gov’s Bail Hearing
By Gabriel Ogunlana
From all indications there is no respite for former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai in his ongoing trial over alleged corruption.
This is as operatives of the Department of State Services on Wednesday took former Kaduna State governor, apparently took him into custody immediately after the proceedings at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.
No sooner had El-Rufai, who is also former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), concluded hearing on his bail application filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) than the DSS operatives whisked him away into a waiting vehicle and sped off reportedly to Abuja.
El-Rufai had arrived at the court at about 9:05 a.m. in a Hilux van, drawing attention from security personnel and observers.
Prior to the court proceedings a heavy DSS presence around had sparked speculation that the former governor’s bail application might not be granted
Journalists were not granted access to the the courtroom to cover the proceedings.
However, speaking to 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.
El-Rufai had arrived at the court at about 9:05 a.m. in a Hilux van, drawing attention from security personnel and observers.
Speaking to 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.
“We await the decision of the court,” he said.
