Former Kaduna State governor, 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 temporary release is to enable El-Rufai participate in the funeral rites of his late mother, who died on Friday in Cairo after a period of illness.
His son, Bashir El-Rufai, confirmed the development in a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday night.
“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, prominent Nigerian figures, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, have paid tributes to the late matriarch.
Hajiya Umma El-Rufai was reportedly about 100 years old at the time of her death. Her passing comes just a week after the death of her daughter-in-law, Safiya Ali Rufai, compounding the family’s grief.
Her 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.
In a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the late matriarch as a woman who lived a remarkable life and raised children and grandchildren who have contributed significantly to the country.
The President, who also lost his mother in old age, said he understood the depth of El-Rufai’s loss.
“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 said.
He expressed faith that the deceased had fulfilled her earthly purpose in accordance with 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,” he added, praying that Allah grants her Aljannah Firdaus.
Similarly, Atiku Abubakar expressed sorrow over the matriarch’s passing, describing it as a shocking development while acknowledging her fulfilled life and enduring legacy.
“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, while praying for divine strength for those she left behind.
Governor Uba Sani also extended sympathies on behalf of the government and people of Kaduna State, describing the deceased as a woman of rare grace, moral clarity, and quiet strength.
“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 added that she was widely known for her kindness, commitment to the vulnerable, and her role in promoting unity within her community.
“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 reacting, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, described the late matriarch 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 stated.
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. The case has been adjourned until March 31, 2026, for the hearing of pending applications, including his bail request.
As of the time of filing this report, details of the burial arrangements for Hajiya Umma El-Rufai had yet to be announced.