The family of Nasir El-Rufai has been thrown into mourning following the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who passed away on Friday afternoon.
The sad development was confirmed by her grandson, Bello El-Rufai, in a heartfelt message shared on Facebook. In his post, Bello announced the passing of his grandmother and prayed for the repose of her soul, writing, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un… We are grateful for the life she lived and may Allah SWT bless her gentle soul.” He also called on the public to remember the family in prayers during this difficult time.
Hajiya Umma El-Rufai was described by family members as a devoted matriarch whose life was marked by humility, faith, and dedication to her family.
Her passing comes at a particularly challenging moment for her son, Nasir El-Rufai, who is currently in custody over corruption allegations. The former governor was recently arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a 10-count charge bordering on the alleged conversion of public property and money laundering.
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El-Rufai, however, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The case is being heard at the Federal High Court in Kaduna, presided over by Justice Rilwanu Aikawa. Following arguments from both the defence and prosecution, the court adjourned the hearing of his bail application to March 31.
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The coincidence of personal loss and ongoing legal battles has drawn sympathy from supporters and observers, with many expressing condolences to the El-Rufai family while awaiting further developments in the high-profile case.
As tributes continue to pour in, attention now turns to both the burial arrangements for the late matriarch and the next phase of the legal proceedings involving the former governor.
