El-Rufai Temporarily Released from ICPC for Mother's Burial

Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, was granted temporary release from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) detention on compassionate grounds to attend the burial rites of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai. Hajiya Umma El-Rufai was reported to have been receiving medical treatment in Egypt before her death.

The ICPC approved El-Rufai's release to enable him to participate in the funeral rites. He had been in custody since February 19, following his arraignment in a Federal High Court in Kaduna, where he faced charges related to alleged money laundering, fraud, and abuse of office alongside his former aide, Joel Adoga.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the court subsequently adjourned the hearing of El-Rufai's bail application to March 31. Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong questioned the legality of the temporary release, noting that detainees cannot be freed without court approval and called on the ICPC to clarify the procedure used for granting the release.