Family members of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, alongside Senator Lawal Adamu and supporters, on Monday protested at the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja over the former governor’s continued detention.
The protesters expressed concern over what they described as El-Rufai’s transfer to DSS custody instead of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which they said was in line with existing court directives.
Addressing journalists outside the DSS headquarters, El-Rufai’s second wife, Asia El-Rufai, said the family had been under pressure and constant anxiety over the situation.
“We now live in constant fear. Every day we get threats that DSS, ICPC or the police may raid our home. We are being followed and our phones are allegedly monitored,” she said.
According to her, El-Rufai had earlier appeared before Justice Joyce AbdulMalik of the Federal High Court, where the matter was adjourned until Tuesday after proceedings were temporarily stood down.
She alleged that during the court recess, the former governor was briefly taken to the DSS facility despite existing court orders directing that he remain in ICPC custody.
“He maintained that there were subsisting court orders directing that he should remain with the ICPC and questioned why he was being moved,” she said.
Asia added that after the afternoon court session, El-Rufai was again transported to the DSS headquarters instead of being returned to ICPC custody.
Also speaking, El-Rufai’s first wife, Hasiat El-Rufai, questioned the change in custody arrangements, insisting that the family had earlier informed the court about existing orders regarding his remand.
She further alleged that the former governor had been denied access to his personal physicians despite what she described as a court order permitting him access to his doctors and legal team.
According to her, medical personnel had earlier conducted tests on El-Rufai while in custody, but follow-up consultations were allegedly not allowed.
The family called for his return to ICPC custody, restoration of access to his personal doctors, and an end to what they described as psychological pressure on him and his relatives.
Senator Lawal Adamu also called for El-Rufai’s release, noting that the former governor voluntarily returned to Nigeria from Cairo after being invited by the ICPC.
“He returned on his own to honour the invitation. We believe he deserves bail on self-recognition,” the senator said.
El-Rufai’s son and member of the House of Representatives, Bello El-Rufai, described the situation as politically motivated and criticised the bail conditions imposed on his father, arguing that they were difficult to meet.
He questioned requirements such as sureties with high-ranking civil service status and properties in high-value Abuja districts.
Also speaking, Director-General of the El-Rufai Support Group Association, Dr. Uche Dialla, said the repeated movement of the former governor between agencies and court proceedings amounted to psychological pressure.
The DSS and ICPC had yet to officially respond to the claims as of the time of filing this report.
