Trending 
Relatives of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai alongside his political allies and supporters, have staged a protest at the headquarters of the Department of State Services, demanding his release from what they described as continued detention.
They alleged that security agencies moved the former governor in breach of existing court orders and claimed that a Federal High Court ruling had directed that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The family said El-Rufai had remained in detention for about 91 days, adding that he had been repeatedly denied access to medical care and legal representation.
His second wife, Asia, who spoke to journalists outside the DSS facility, said the family lived under constant fear and surveillance, alleging ongoing threats and monitoring of their communications.
She claimed El-Rufai had earlier appeared before Justice Joyce AbdulMalik of the Federal High Court, where he was granted bail and the case adjourned.
According to her, he was briefly moved during a court break to a DSS facility, which she said he resisted, insisting that earlier Kaduna court orders required his remand under ICPC custody.
She also said he had refused to exit the vehicle that brought him to the DSS premises.
The family further alleged that El-Rufai had been denied access to his personal doctors despite a separate court order from Justice Aikawa of the Kaduna State High Court granting him access to medical care and legal counsel.
They called for his immediate return to ICPC custody, full implementation of court orders, and an end to what they described as psychological harassment.
Senator Lawal Adamu Usman said bail should have been granted on self-recognition, describing the conditions as unfair and politically motivated.
El-Rufai’s son, Bello, who is also a lawmaker, argued that the bail requirements were overly strict and difficult to meet, questioning the intent behind them.
Meanwhile, the DSS spokesperson, Favour Dozie, did not respond to requests for comment at the time of filing the report.
