KEY POINTS

• Nasir El-Rufai returned to the Kaduna State High Court after being temporarily released to attend his mother’s burial.
• The former governor faces fraud and money laundering charges, with his bail hearing resuming after a March 24 adjournment.
• He had been in ICPC custody since February 19, and was granted compassionate release following his mother’s death in Egypt.

Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, arrived at the Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday following his release from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to attend his mother’s burial.

He is expected to proceed to the Federal High Court in Kaduna for the continuation of hearing on his bail application. The court had earlier adjourned the bail hearing to March 31 after he was arraigned on March 24 on charges related to alleged fraud and money laundering.

Sources within the ICPC disclosed that El-Rufai was released on March 27 on compassionate grounds after the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma, who passed away in Egypt while receiving medical treatment.

She was buried on Sunday, with several prominent figures in attendance, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Dangote Group chairman Aliko Dangote, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and former Communications Minister Isa Pantami.

Detention history before arraignment

Before his arraignment on March 24, El-Rufai had been in ICPC custody since February 19, shortly after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

On March 18, the ICPC said it had secured a valid court order to extend his detention amid growing calls for his release.