Confusion has continued to trail reports of the temporary release of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) following the death of his mother. The uncertainty deepened after Bashir El-Rufai, son of the former governor, announced his father’s release on X, only to delete the statement hours later.
Efforts to obtain clarification from the ICPC proved abortive, as the commission’s spokesperson, Mr. John Odey, neither responded to phone calls nor replied to messages sent via WhatsApp.
Earlier, the El-Rufai family had announced the death of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, mother of the former governor.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had both extended condolences to the bereaved family.
The death was made public on Facebook by her grandson, Bello El-Rufai, who wrote: “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.
“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. May He bless the soul of the parents we have lost. On behalf of our family, we seek your prayers. Thank you.”
Hours after the announcement, Bashir El-Rufai took to his X handle to declare that his father, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, had been released from ICPC custody.
In the now-deleted post, he wrote: “Alhamdulillah. My beloved great legend of a father (@elrufai) is being released from his unlawful & 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.”
The former governor has remained in custody of the ICPC following his re-arrest after an earlier detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna adjourned the alleged fraud case to March 31, 2026, to allow for the hearing of pending applications, including his bail request.
In a condolence message issued by his 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 meaningfully to the nation.
“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.
“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.
“I join family, friends, and well-wishers in mourning with you. May Allah grant your dear mother Aljannah Firdaus,” Tinubu stated.
In his own condolence message, Atiku Abubakar described the development as “a shocking development,” while extending sympathies to the El-Rufai family and their associates.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un,” he wrote, adding, “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the el-Rufai family and friends and pray that Allah (SWT) accepts her soul and grant her Al-Janna Firdaus.”
The former presidential candidate noted that the late matriarch lived a fulfilled life marked by dignity and service to her family and community, adding that her legacy would endure among those who knew her. He also observed that her passing on a Friday, the Islamic holy day of Jumu’ah, offers some comfort to the grieving family.