Nasir El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State, has been released from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to attend his mother's funeral. The release was confirmed by his son, Bashir El-Rufai, who posted about it on social media. Bashir described his father's detention as "unlawful and illegal", and thanked supporters for their help during this difficult time.
The ICPC had detained El-Rufai since February 18, and he was arraigned on Tuesday on a 10-count charge related to alleged conversion of public property and money laundering. El-Rufai pleaded not guilty to all charges and is scheduled to appear in court again on March 31.
His mother, Umma El-Rufai, passed away earlier on Friday, and her grandson announced her death on Facebook. El-Rufai's detention has been a subject of controversy, with his son describing the ICPC as one of the most corrupt agencies in the country.
The ICPC's decision to release Nasir El-Rufai from custody raises questions about the commission's motives and the fairness of its treatment of the former governor. The ICPC's actions have been widely criticized, and this latest development only adds to the controversy. El-Rufai's detention has already had a significant impact on his family, and his release may be a welcome relief for them. However, the underlying issues that led to his detention remain unresolved, and it is unclear what this means for the future of the ICPC and its handling of high-profile cases.
