ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Fresh controversy erupted on Monday after operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) allegedly took custody of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, shortly after a Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail.
The development sparked outrage from members of his family and political associates, who accused security agencies of disregarding existing court orders directing that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
El-Rufai’s second wife, Hasiat, who addressed journalists outside the DSS headquarters in Abuja, described the situation as traumatic, alleging that the family has continued to live under fear, surveillance and repeated threats.
According to her, the former governor had appeared earlier before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, where he was granted bail before the matter was adjourned.
She claimed that during a break in proceedings, DSS operatives attempted to move him into their custody despite subsisting court orders from Kaduna directing that he remain with the ICPC.
Hasiat said El-Rufai resisted the move and questioned why he was being transferred between agencies.
“He told them, ‘I am not furniture to be moved around,’” she recounted.
According to her, he was later returned to ICPC custody, but after the afternoon court session, he was again allegedly brought to the DSS facility instead of being returned to the anti-graft agency.
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She disclosed that as of the time she spoke, the former governor had reportedly refused to leave the vehicle conveying him into DSS custody.
The family further accused security agencies of violating court orders granting El-Rufai access to his personal doctors and lawyers.
Hasiat alleged that despite recommendations from doctors after medical examinations, authorities denied him access to follow-up consultations.
“When you run medical tests, the doctor is supposed to come back and explain the results. That opportunity was denied,” she said.
She demanded that El-Rufai be returned immediately to ICPC custody in line with existing court directives and called for an end to what she described as psychological pressure on the family.
Also speaking, El-Rufai’s son and member of the House of Representatives, Bello El-Rufai, described the situation as politically motivated.
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He questioned the strict bail conditions imposed by the court, arguing that they appeared almost impossible to fulfil.
“Which civil servant has N100 million and a house in Maitama or Asokoro?” he queried.
Bello also accused the ICPC of issuing misleading statements and said he planned to submit a formal petition before the House of Representatives over the matter.
Director-General of the El-Rufai Support Group Association, Dr. Uche Dialla, described the movement of the former governor between agencies as psychological torture.
According to him, taking El-Rufai from one detention facility to another after court proceedings amounted to deliberate emotional and mental pressure.
Senator Lawal Adamu, representing Kaduna Central, also called for the former governor’s immediate release, noting that El-Rufai voluntarily returned from Cairo after being invited by authorities.
“He came back on his own. What is happening now is political harassment,” the senator alleged.
However, security sources later confirmed that following consultations among lawyers involved in the matter, El-Rufai was eventually returned to ICPC custody later on Monday evening.
