Abuja, Nigeria — Former Governor of Kaduna State in northwestern Nigeria, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has returned to his residence in Abuja after receiving temporary compassionate release from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The commission granted the release to allow El-Rufai attend the burial of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who died in Cairo on Friday, March 27, 2026, following a period of illness. Her passing prompted widespread condolences from political figures and associates across Nigeria.
Okay News reports that El-Rufai’s son, Bashir El-Rufai, confirmed his father’s release in a post shared late Friday. He wrote: “Alhamdulillah. My beloved great legend of a father 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.”
El-Rufai had been in ICPC custody since Tuesday, February 18, 2026, over allegations relating to financial misconduct. Earlier in the week, he was arraigned before the Kaduna division of the Federal High Court alongside one Joel Adoga. The charges include alleged conversion and possession of public property, money laundering, abuse of office, and fraud.
According to the ICPC, the defendants face a 10-count charge. Prosecutors alleged that El-Rufai received ₦289,826,998.12 (about $193,000) on two occasions in September 2020 and January 2023 as severance allowance, exceeding the legally entitled ₦20,013,245.00 (about $13,300). The commission also alleged that he received deposits totalling $817,900 in a domiciliary account with Guaranty Trust Bank while serving as governor.
El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all charges. Justice Rilwan Aikawa adjourned the case to Monday, March 31, 2026, to consider pending applications, including a bail request. His counsel, Ubong Akpan, explained that no bail application was filed during the arraignment because proceedings were limited to formal charges.
Separately, El-Rufai is also facing prosecution by Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency, the State Security Service (SSS), over alleged phone tapping claims involving Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled arraignment in that matter for Wednesday, April 23, 2026.
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the late matriarch as a woman who lived a remarkable life and raised children and grandchildren who have contributed significantly to the country.
The compassionate release allows El-Rufai attend burial rites before returning to continue legal proceedings. The outcome of the upcoming court sessions is expected to determine whether he will remain on bail pending trial.
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