ICPC ALLEGATIONS: El-Rufai granted ‘temporary bail’ to attend late mother’s funeral

ORIAKU IJELE & GABRIEL IDIBIA

Slight reprieve has come the way of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, as he has been granted temporary bail from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to enable him attend the funeral rites of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who died in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday.

According to El-Rufai’s son, son, Bashir El-Rufai, in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, his father had been released from detention.

He wrote: “My beloved great legend of a father (@elrufai) is being released from his unlawful and illegal detention at the hands of one of the most corrupt agencies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that is a lame excuse of a pathetic institution. Thank you all for all the support. Our family shall never forget these times. We have overcome, as the El-Rufais.”

This sad news was announced by the family on Friday, triggering an outpouring of condolences from political associates, friends, and well-wishers across the country to the family.

President Bola Tinubu has condoled with former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, over the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma according to a statement by presidential spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

Tinubu described the matriarch as a remarkable woman who raised children and grandchildren contributing meaningfully to national development.

“Nasir, please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your beloved mother, Hajiya Umma.

“As someone who has also lost a mother, I share your grief and understand the depth of your loss,” the President said.

Tinubu said losing a mother is deeply painful and expressed hope that cherished memories would comfort the bereaved family.

“I know no words can fully ease your sorrow, but I pray memories of her love, wisdom, and guidance bring comfort,” he said.

The President urged the family to take solace in the values she instilled and the enduring legacy she left behind.

He said believers find comfort in the conviction she had fulfilled her purpose and returned to her Creator.

“As firm believers in Allah, we are convinced she has played her part and returned to her Maker,” he said.

Tinubu prayed for the repose of her soul and strength for the family during the mourning period.

“I join family, friends, and well-wishers in mourning with you. May Allah grant your dear mother Aljannah Firdaus,” he said.

The Co-Chairman of ADC Kaduna State Hon. Muhammad Bashir Sa’idu, and the former Chief of Staff to Nasir El-Rufai, has also condoled the entire El-Rufai family, friends and supporters on the painful loss of his beloved mother, in a condolence message signed by Engr. Anas Adamu.

Family sources revealed that the deceased had been battling age-related health challenges for some time, with her condition worsening in recent weeks.

Her health reportedly deteriorated further after she received news of her son’s ongoing detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

El-Rufai,  has been in ICPC custody since February 2026 in connection with ongoing alleged corruption investigations, had been personally overseeing his mother’s medical care prior to her demise.

In a statement, the family offered prayers for the repose of her soul: “We pray to Almighty Allah to forgive her shortcomings and grant her Aljannatul Firdaus.”

Hajiya Umma’s death comes at a difficult time for the El-Rufai family, coinciding with the former governor’s legal challenges.