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Former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has been granted temporary bail by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, following the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, on Friday.
The temporary freedom is to enable the former governor perform the funeral rites of his late mother who died in Cairo, Egypt, after a period of sickness.
El-Rufai’s son, Bashir, confirmed his father’s release in a post on his X handle Friday night.
El-Rufai’s mother, Hajiya Umma.
“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 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-Rufai’s always do,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, notable Nigerians, including President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, have paid tributes to the late Hajiya El-Rufai.
Hajiya El-Rufai was reportedly about 100 years old.
Her passing comes just a week after the death of her daughter-in-law, Safiya Ali Rufai, compounding the family’s grief.
Hajiya El-Rufai’s death was announced on Friday by her grandson, Bello El-Rufai, in a Facebook post in which he expressed gratitude for her life and called for prayers for her soul.
“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,” the post read.
Tinubu, in a statement signed on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the late matriarch of the El-Rufai family as a woman who lived a remarkable life, raised children and grandchildren who have contributed greatly to the country.
The President, who also lost his mother in old age, said he understood the depth of El-Rufai’s loss.
He said, “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. I understand the depth of your loss.
“Losing a mother is a pain unlike any other. I know that no words can fully ease your sorrow, but I pray that the memories of her love, wisdom, and guidance bring you comfort in the days ahead. I also hope you find strength in the remarkable life she lived and the values she instilled in the entire family.”
Tinubu expressed faith that the deceased had fulfilled her earthly purpose according to divine will.
“As firm believers in Allah, we are convinced that she has played her part in this world as laid out for her by the Almighty and has gone back to her maker,” Tinubu said.
He joined family, friends, and well-wishers in mourning with El-Rufai, praying that Allah grants the deceased Aljannah Firdaus (the highest level of Paradise in Islamic belief).
In his condolence message, Abubakar also expressed sorrow, describing the matriarch’s passing as a shocking development while acknowledging her fulfilled life and legacy of service.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the El-Rufai family and friends, and pray that Allah accepts her soul and grants her Al-Janna Firdaus,” he said.
Atiku noted that her death on a Friday, the Islamic holy day of Jumu’ah, offered some comfort to the family, praying for divine strength for those she left behind.
Similarly, Sani extended sympathies to the bereaved family and the people of the state.
He praised the late matriarch’s virtues, noting her enduring influence within her family and community.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Kaduna State, I extend my deepest condolences to His Excellency, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and the entire El-Rufai family on the passing of their beloved mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai. Hajiya Umma El-Rufai was not only a devoted mother and matriarch, but also a woman of rare grace, moral clarity, and quiet strength,” he said.
Sani said Hajiya El-Rufai was widely known for her kindness, unwavering commitment to the vulnerable, and her role in promoting unity.
He said the loss was both personal and communal, expressing solidarity with the family in their grief.
“She lived a life defined by compassion, humility, and steadfast service, extending kindness to the vulnerable and dignity to all who crossed her path. In her community, she was a steady source of counsel and reconciliation, nurturing unity and embodying the enduring values of faith, patience, and generosity. In this hour of grief, I stand in solemn solidarity with the El-Rufai family,” he said.
Also, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, described Hajiya El-Rufai as a caring figure with whom he shared fond memories.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, the matriarch of the El-Rufai family. I have fond memories of shared moments with her and her motherly care. At a time like this, words can offer little comfort for such a profound loss.
“My heartfelt condolences to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and the entire family. May Almighty Allah forgive her shortcomings, grant her eternal rest in Aljannah Firdaus, and give the family the strength to bear this loss,” Ribadu wrote.
Meanwhile, Nasir El-Rufai is currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission following his arrest 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, with the case adjourned until March 31, 2026, for hearing of pending applications, including his bail request.
As of the time of filing this report, details of Hajiya El-Rufai’s burial arrangements had yet to be announced.
