Confusion has trailed reports of the temporary release of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission following the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai.
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Bashir El-Rufai, son of the former governor, announced his father’s release on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday night, but deleted the statement minutes later — leaving questions unanswered about the actual status of the detained former governor.
The post, made at exactly 9:56 p.m., had gained over 33,000 views before it was deleted.
In the now-deleted post, Bashir El-Rufai celebrated his father’s release while launching a scathing attack on the ICPC.
“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,” Bashir wrote.
“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 deletion of the post has sparked speculation about whether the release was indeed confirmed or whether circumstances changed after the announcement was made.
When contacted on the matter, spokesperson of the ICPC, Mr. John Odey, declined to respond to calls nor did he respond to messages sent to him via WhatsApp.
The commission’s silence has added to the confusion surrounding the former governor’s custody status.
According to reports, the temporary freedom was granted to enable the former governor perform the funeral rites of his late mother, who died in Cairo, Egypt, after a period of illness.
El-Rufai, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, has been in custody of the ICPC following his re-arrest after being initially detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
He was arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on March 24 on a 10-count charge of corruption and money laundering. The case was adjourned until March 31, 2026, for hearing of pending applications, including his bail request.
The drama surrounding El-Rufai’s release came hours after his family announced the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who had been receiving medical treatment in Egypt.
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.
Her death was announced on Friday by her grandson, Bello El-Rufai, in a Facebook post.
“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.
“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.”
As of the time of filing this report, details of Hajiya El-Rufai’s burial arrangements had yet to be announced.
President Bola Tinubu, in a statement signed 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.
“Nasir, please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your beloved mother, Hajiya Umma, which happened today in Cairo,” Tinubu said.
“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,” he said.
“I join family, friends, and well-wishers in mourning with you. May Allah grant your dear mother Aljannah Firdaus.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also expressed sorrow, describing the matriarch’s passing as a shocking development while acknowledging her fulfilled life and legacy of service.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un,” he wrote. “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.”
Atiku noted that the late matriarch lived a fulfilled life marked by dignity and service to her family and community. He further described her as a woman of deep faith whose legacy would be remembered by those who knew her.
The former presidential candidate also pointed out that her passing on a Friday, the Islamic holy day of Jumu’ah, offers some measure of comfort to the bereaved family.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba 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,” Sani said.
“Hajiya Umma El-Rufai was not only a devoted mother and matriarch, but also a woman of rare grace, moral clarity, and quiet strength.”
Sani said Hajiya El-Rufai was widely known for her kindness, unwavering commitment to the vulnerable, and her role in promoting unity.
“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,” he said.
“In this hour of grief, I stand in solemn solidarity with the El-Rufai family.”
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,” Ribadu wrote.
“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.”
The confusion surrounding El-Rufai’s release highlights the sensitive nature of high-profile corruption cases in Nigeria, particularly when they intersect with family tragedies.
The deleted tweet by Bashir El-Rufai — with its strong language condemning the ICPC as “one of the most corrupt agencies” and “a lame excuse of a pathetic institution” — suggests the family’s frustration with the former governor’s detention.
Whether El-Rufai has indeed been granted temporary bail for his mother’s funeral, or whether the release announcement was premature, remains unclear pending official confirmation from the ICPC.
The case returns to the Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 31, 2026, for hearing of pending applications, including the formal bail request.
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