Kaduna, Nigeria – Former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has been granted temporary bail by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) following the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai. The decision allows him to briefly leave custody to attend and perform the burial rites for his late mother, who passed away on Friday in Cairo, Egypt, after a period of illness.
The release was confirmed by El-Rufai’s son, Bashir El-Rufai, in a social media post late Friday. “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…Thank you all for your support. Our family shall never forget these times. We have overcome, as the El-Rufais always do,” he wrote.
Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, believed to have been about 100 years old, was a respected matriarch known for her quiet influence within her family and community. Her death comes barely a week after the passing of her daughter-in-law, Safiya Ali Rufai, deepening the family’s grief.
Earlier, her grandson, Bello El-Rufai, announced her passing on social media, calling for prayers and reflecting on her life. “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.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the country. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described Hajiya El-Rufai as a woman who lived a fulfilled life and raised a family that has contributed to national development. He prayed for strength for the former governor in his time of loss.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also expressed sympathy, noting that her passing, though painful, came after a life of impact. He prayed for her soul and comfort for the family.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, praised her humility, compassion, and dedication to humanity, emphasizing that her influence extended beyond her immediate family into the wider community. National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, recalled her kindness and motherly role over the years.
El-Rufai remains under investigation by the ICPC over allegations of corruption and money laundering. He was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24 on a 10-count charge. The court has adjourned the case to March 31, 2026, to hear pending applications, including his formal bail request.
As of the time of filing, details regarding the burial arrangements for Hajiya Umma El-Rufai have not been made public.
