A former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has been released from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), according to his son, Bashir.
The development is apparently to allow the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to be involved in the burial of his mother, Hajiya Umma, which was announced earlier on Friday.
In a post on his X handle on Friday wrote: ‘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.
‘Thank you all for all the support. Our family shall never forget these times. We have overcome, as the El-Rufais’.
El-Rufai had been in ICPC custody since 18 February over allegations bordering on financial misconduct and other related matters.
As of the time of filing this report, the ICPC has yet to issue an official statement regarding the terms of his temporary release.
Also on Friday, President Bola Tinubu sent condolences to El Rufai on the loss of his mother, which happened that day in Cairo, Egypt.
The President described the late matriarch of the El-Rufai family as a mother who lived a remarkable life and raised children and grandchildren who have contributed greatly to our nation.
President Tinubu wrote: ‘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’.
