ICPC releases El-Rufai from detention after mother’s death

​The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has granted a temporary release to the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, on compassionate grounds.

​The release, which occurred on Friday, follows the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who reportedly passed away in Cairo, Egypt.

​Confirming the development, his son, Bashir El-Rufai, took to his X handle to announce his father’s exit from custody, while lambasting the anti-graft agency.

​”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,” Bashir wrote.

​El-Rufai has been in the eye of the storm since February 16, 2026, when he was first detained by the EFCC over an alleged ₦423 billion misappropriation. He was subsequently re-arrested by the ICPC on February 18.

​Earlier this week, the former governor was formally arraigned at the Federal High Court in Kaduna alongside a co-defendant, Joel Adoga, on charges bordering on money laundering and the conversion of public property. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

​The presiding judge had adjourned the ruling on his bail application until March 31, 2026.

​Beyond the ICPC case, El-Rufai is facing a three-count charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charges involve the alleged unlawful interception of phone communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

​In his defense, El-Rufai has filed counter-suits seeking ₦3 billion in damages against the federal agencies, claiming his detention and the raid on his Abuja residence were unlawful.

​While the ICPC has yet to release an official statement regarding the specific conditions of this temporary release, it is expected that the former governor will return to face his pending bail ruling next Tuesday.