Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, was freed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) on humanitarian grounds on Friday after his mother passed away.
The former governor was given temporary freedom so he could take part in his late mother Hajiya Umma El-Rufai’s funeral, according to sources inside the anti-graft agency who spoke with The Cable.
Hajiya Umma El-Rufai passed away in Egypt on Friday following a period of sickness. In the North African nation, she had allegedly been receiving medical care.
Sources claim that El-Rufai’s release was authorized by the ICPC so that he could participate in the burial services.
Shortly after being freed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the former governor was taken over by the ICPC and has been in detention since February 19.
Along with his former assistant Joel Adoga, El-Rufai was arrested earlier this week before a Federal High Court in Kaduna.
Charges against them include alleged money laundering, fraud, and abuse of office.
The two accused entered not guilty pleas. The court then postponed El-Rufai’s bail application hearing until March 31.
Human rights attorney Inibehe Effiong reacted to the development by questioning the validity of the interim release, pointing out that a court-remanded detainee cannot be released without the court’s consent.
Effiong commented on 𝕏, “A person who is remanded by an order of a court cannot be released legally without recourse to the court.”
He demanded that the anti-graft body provide an explanation of the process by which the discharge was granted.
“ICPC, could you please explain the process used in this instance? On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, El-Rufai will make his bail request.
“What was the procedure for his release? He questioned, “Is this another government magic that the legendary Fela sang about?”
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