The remains of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, mother of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, have arrived in Abuja ahead of her burial. The 94-year-old matriarch died on Friday, March 27, in Cairo, Egypt, after a brief illness. According to her grandson, Mohammed El-Rufai, the late Hajiya El-Rufai was living with her son in Cairo before her death.
Funeral prayers are scheduled to be held at the National Mosque in Abuja at 1 p.m. on Sunday, following which she will be laid to rest at the Gudu Cemetery. Several prominent Nigerians have condoled with the family, including President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani.
The burial rites come as Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor, remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over allegations of corruption and money laundering.
The timing of Nasir El-Rufai's mother's burial is particularly poignant given his current circumstances. The former governor's detention by the ICPC raises questions about the due process of the law and the impact on his family's well-being. Meanwhile, the tributes pouring in for the late Hajiya El-Rufai highlight the respect and admiration she commanded in her lifetime. As the nation mourns her passing, it is also worth noting that the burial rites come at a time when the El-Rufai family is already navigating a complex web of allegations and court proceedings. The ICPC's decision to grant Nasir El-Rufai release from custody to attend the burial rites is a welcome respite for the family, but it also underscores the need for a more transparent and efficient justice system.
