Mourning as El-Rufai loses his mother, Hajiya Umma

The mother of detained former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, has passed away on a Friday afternoon, as confirmed by her grandson Hon. Bello El-Rufai in a Facebook post.

Announcing the news, Hon. Bello El-Rufai expressed gratitude for her life and asked for prayers, stating that she was the biological mother of his father, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and that the family seeks the public's prayers.

The news of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai's passing comes at a time when her son, Nasir El-Rufai, remains in custody after being arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on a 10-count charge.

The charges against Nasir El-Rufai border on alleged conversion of public property and money laundering, to which he pleaded not guilty to all counts.

A Federal High Court in Kaduna, presided over by Justice Rilwanu Aikawa, has adjourned the hearing of Nasir El-Rufai's bail application to March 31.

This decision was made after the court listened to arguments from both the defence and prosecution teams, with the hearing now set to continue on the specified date.