Former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai has lost his mother Hajiya Umma in Egypt where she was receiving care, while he (El-Rufai) remains in custody.
She died on Friday, where she had been receiving care prior to her passing.
El-Rufai was with her in Egypt but returned to Nigeria to honour an invitation from anti-graft agencies before her death.
The former governor has recently been linked to investigations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged financial mismanagement during his tenure in Kaduna State, allegations he has denied.
Hajiya Umma’s death comes barely one week after the former governor lost his sister-in-law, Safiya Ali Rufai, who died on March 20, 2026, after a brief illness.
The El-Rufai family confirmed the latest loss describing it as a painful moment for the entire household.
Family sources disclosed that the late matriarch had been battling age-related health challenges, which reportedly worsened in recent times.
Sources further indicated that her condition deteriorated amid recent developments involving the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission. Until her passing, it was gathered that El-Rufai had been closely involved in managing his mother’s health.
The family prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive her shortcomings and grant her Aljannatul Firdaus.
The development comes as El-Rufai remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which has confirmed he is being held in connection with an ongoing investigation.
He was recently arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on a ten-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and fraud. The court subsequently ordered that he remain in custody pending the hearing of his bail application, which has been adjourned to March 31, 2026.
A PERSONAL LOSS AMID LEGAL TROUBLES
El-Rufai, who served as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, has been a central figure in Nigeria’s political landscape, also previously serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
His current legal challenges stem from allegations of financial misconduct and related offences during his time as Governor of Kaduna State, which he is expected to challenge as proceedings continue.
The reported loss of his mother adds a deeply personal dimension to what is already a high-profile legal and political moment.
El-Rufai is said to have been raised primarily by his mother after losing his father at a young age, with sources describing a close bond between them.
The former FCT minister remains a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political landscape.
