AfriPulse
Confusion has emerged over reports that former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, was granted temporary release from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) following the death of his mother.
The uncertainty arose after Bashir El-Rufai, son of the former governor, deleted a post on 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) in which he earlier announced his father’s release.
Bashir had earlier claimed that his father was being released from detention, describing the move as the end of what he termed unlawful detention.
In the now-deleted post, he wrote: “Alhamdulillah. 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.”
He also thanked supporters who had shown solidarity with the family during the period of detention.
However, the post was later removed, raising questions about the accuracy of the claim.
Attempts to obtain clarification from the ICPC were unsuccessful.
When contacted by ThisDay, the commission’s spokesperson, John Odey, did not respond to phone calls or messages sent to him via WhatsApp.
Earlier on Friday, the El-Rufai family had announced the death of the former governor’s mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai.
Her death was disclosed in a Facebook post by her grandson, Bello El-Rufai.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. From Allah SWT we came and to Him we shall all return. I would like to inform the public of the demise of my Grandmother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai who passed away a few hours ago,” he wrote.
“She is the biological mother of our father, Mallam Nasir @elrufai. We are grateful for the life she lived and may Allah SWT bless her gentle soul. On behalf of our family, we seek your prayers.”
The former governor has been in the custody of the ICPC following his re-arrest after an earlier detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
A Federal High Court in Kaduna had adjourned proceedings in the alleged fraud case against him to March 31, 2026, to hear pending applications, including his request for bail.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have expressed condolences to the El-Rufai family.
In a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the late matriarch as a woman who lived a remarkable life.
“Nasir, please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your beloved mother, Hajiya Umma, which happened today in Cairo. As someone who had also lost an old mother, I share in your grief,” the president said.
Atiku, in a separate message, described her death as a “shocking development”, while praying for the peaceful repose of her soul.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the el-Rufai family and friends and pray that Allah accepts her soul and grant her Al-Janna Firdaus,” he stated.
The former presidential candidate added that the late matriarch lived a fulfilled life marked by dignity, faith, and service to her family and community.
Source: Naijanews.com | Read the Full Story…
