Fatimah Otunsanya
A former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and a former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, have condoled with a former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, on Friday.
Malami, in a post on his X handle on Saturday, described the passing as a profound loss and pledged his solidarity with El-Rufai, who is currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over corruption and money laundering allegations.
“The death of a mother is an irreplaceable loss, and I pray that Almighty Allah grants her Aljannatul Firdaus and gives you the strength and fortitude to bear this sad loss.
“In this moment of grief and in the face of your current challenges, please be assured of my prayers, solidarity and unwavering support. I stand with you in prayers during these difficult, trying times. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” he wrote.
Kwankwaso, also writing on X on Saturday, described the late Hajiya Umma as a woman whose life left a legacy of remarkable children.
“The loss of a mother is profound and irreplaceable — a wound that time can never fully heal. Yet, in this moment of grief, may you find comfort in the beautiful legacy she leaves behind: a life well-lived that blessed the world with remarkable children, including a son like Malam Nasir,” he wrote.
He prayed for divine forgiveness and mercy for the deceased and called on the family to bear the loss with patience.
Hajiya El-Rufai, who was reportedly about 100 years old, died in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday after a period of illness. Her death was announced by her grandson, Bello El-Rufai, on Facebook.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. From Allah SWT we came, and to Him we shall all return. I would like to inform the public of the demise of my grandmother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who passed away a few hours ago,” he wrote.
The ICPC subsequently granted El-Rufai temporary bail to enable him perform his mother’s funeral rites, with his son, Bashir, confirming his release on X on Friday night.
Her passing comes a week after the death of her daughter-in-law, Safiya Ali Rufai, compounding the family’s grief.
El-Rufai was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24 on a 10-count charge bordering on corruption and money laundering. The case was adjourned until March 31, 2026, for hearing of pending applications, including his bail request.
President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu were among other prominent Nigerians who had earlier paid tributes to the late matriarch.
