A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has publicly rebuked the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, for granting administrative bail the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai on a compassionate ground without a valid court order as required by law.
This followed the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai last Thursday, 27th March, 2026, as announced by the deceased grandson, Bello El-Rufai.
Nasir El-Rufai, was recently arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a 10-count charge, bordering on alleged conversion of public property and money laundering after one month in detention.
He was remanded in ICPC custody after the former Governor pleaded not guilty to the allegations levelled against him.
But, the human rights lawyer insisted in a statement published on his social media handles that: “How many Nigerians who are facing prosecution have been shown similar compassion?”
According to him, “El-Rufai was arraigned and he pleaded not guilty to the charges. The ICPC is merely a custodial facility in respect of the order of remand.
“As the prosecuting agency, the ICPC cannot operate outside the jurisdiction of the court.
“The court is seised of the case. There is no longer allowance in law for administrative bail.
“The government cannot show compassion outside the due process of law. How many Nigerians who are facing prosecution have been shown similar compassion?
“By releasing him, the government has prejudiced the bail application before the court, which is slated for hearing on 31st March, 2026.
“This singular action lends credence to two facts, namely: (i) the government views their case against him as primarily political, (ii), Nigeria is a lawless Country”, Effiong queried in a series of post.
In the meantime, the
Elrufai mother’s Burial arrangements was released at the weekend by the El-Rufai’s family.
A statement endorsed by Hon. Mohammed Bello El-Rufai’s family member and Kaduna North Federal Constituency
Chairman, Committee on Banking Regulations, indicates that the funeral rite of the late matriarch will take place at the National Mosque, Central Area, Abuja beginning 1p.m.
Her burial will follow up at Gudu Cemetery, Apo. Thank you for all the prayers, visits and well wishes. May Allah SWT bless her gentle and grant her the highest level of Aljannatul Firdausi insh Allah, according to her family.
The statement reads, “In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
“On behalf of the Elders of our family, I have been requested to announce the Janazah Prayer for our dear grandmother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who passed away yesterday (Friday)”, according to the family.
TheNewspad reports that some notable leaders of the African Democratic Party, former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, former Vice President of Nigeria, Abubakar Atiku and the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, have paid a condolence visit to
Nasir El-Rufai after the tragic incident.
