Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, a former Kaduna State Governor, received condolences from a host of Nigerian leaders and well-wishers at his Abuja residence following the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai. The 79-year-old mother passed away in Cairo, Egypt, after a prolonged illness.
El-Rufai had been granted temporary leave from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), where he had been held since February over allegations of financial misconduct. Those who visited him at his Abuja residence included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who expressed his deep pain and shared solidarity with El-Rufai during the difficult time.
In a message posted on his X handle, Atiku wrote: "I share with Mallam the deep pain of this loss, and we prayed for the repose of the soul of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai." Other notable figures who paid their condolences included former Minister of Transportation and ex-Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi; Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN; Former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and other prominent figures.
The visit came after El-Rufai's son revealed that his father had been released from ICPC custody on compassionate grounds to attend the funeral rites of his mother.
The release of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai from ICPC custody on compassionate grounds raises questions about the prioritization of personal grief over accountability for alleged financial misconduct. The visit of high-profile politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to El-Rufai's residence highlights the complex web of relationships and interests in Nigeria's political landscape. As El-Rufai mourns the loss of his mother, he remains under scrutiny for his alleged financial misdeeds. The ICPC's decision to grant him temporary leave raises concerns about the effectiveness of the commission in holding public officials accountable. The impact of this decision on the public's trust in institutions remains to be seen.
