Nigeria: El-Rufai released from ICPC custody after mother’s death

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been released from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after being detained since February 18 over allegations of financial misconduct. His son, Bashir El-Rufai, confirmed the release on social media, stating that his father was freed from “unlawful and illegal detention”.

The release comes after the death of El-Rufai’s mother, Umma El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday. The ICPC had arraigned El-Rufai on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion of public property and money laundering, with his bail application adjourned to March 31.

El-Rufai’s release is reportedly on compassionate grounds to allow him to attend his mother’s funeral. The ICPC has yet to issue an official statement regarding the terms of his temporary release.