Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, was discharged on compassionate grounds by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) on Friday after his mother passed away.
The Cable was informed by sources in the anti-graft bureau that the former governor was given a temporary release so he could take part in his mother Hajiya Umma El-Rufai’s funeral.
After a period of illness, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai passed away in Egypt on Friday. According to reports, she had been getting medical care in the nation in North Africa.
Sources claim that El-Rufai’s release to attend the funeral ceremonies was authorized by the ICPC.
After being taken over by the ICPC immediately after being freed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the former governor had been detained since February 19.
El-Rufai and his former assistant Joel Adoga were prosecuted in front of a Federal High Court in Kaduna earlier this week.
They are being charged with alleged fraud, money laundering, and abuse of office.
Both defendants entered not guilty pleas to the accusations. El-Rufai’s bail application was then postponed by the court until March 31.
In response, human rights attorney Inibehe Effiong questioned the validity of the interim release, pointing out that a court-remanded detainee cannot be released without the court’s consent.
Effiong commented on 𝕏, “A person who is remanded by a court order cannot be legally released without recourse to the court.”
He demanded an explanation of the process by which the release was granted from the anti-graft agency.
“ICPC, could you elaborate on the process used in this instance? El-Rufai’s bail request is scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
How was his release handled? He questioned, “Is this another government magic that the great Fela sang about?”
