By Ghazali Ibrahim
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has been granted temporary bail following the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai.
The release was approved by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), where the former governor has been in custody over ongoing corruption-related charges.
According to multiple reports, the temporary bail was granted to enable El-Rufai attend and perform the burial rites of his late mother, who died in Cairo, Egypt, after a period of illness.
His son, Bashir El-Rufai, confirmed the development in a post on social media, expressing relief over his father’s release and thanking supporters of the family.
Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, said to be about 100 years old, passed away on Friday, with her death coming shortly after another bereavement in the family.
Tributes have poured in from prominent figures across Nigeria, including President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, all of whom described the deceased as a matriarch who lived a fulfilled and impactful life.
Despite the temporary release, El-Rufai’s legal troubles remain unresolved. He was earlier arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on multiple charges, with the case adjourned to March 31, 2026, for the hearing of pending applications, including his formal bail request.
The development has created some confusion, as earlier reports indicated that the court had yet to rule on his bail application.
However, the latest update clarifies that his release is temporary and humanitarian, pending further court proceedings.
