The remains of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, mother of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, have arrived in Abuja ahead of her burial.
Hajiya El-Rufai died on Friday, March 27, in Cairo, Egypt, after a brief illness.
Her grandson, Mohammed El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, confirmed the funeral arrangements in a statement shared on X.
“This is to notify the general public that the remains of our grandmother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, have safely landed in Abuja. The Janazah Prayer is by 1 p.m. as announced last night.
“The prayers will take place at the National Mosque, and she will be buried at Gudu Cemetery by the grace of God. May Allah SWT bless her soul and all those who passed away before her,” he wrote.
Before her passing, she had reportedly been residing with her son in Cairo.
Her death comes amid ongoing legal challenges involving Nasir El-Rufai, who was recently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of financial misconduct.
He was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24 on a 10-count charge, with the case adjourned until March 31, 2026, for the hearing of pending applications, including his bail request.
However, he was granted temporary release from ICPC custody to enable him attend the burial rites and be with his family during the mourning period.
Several prominent Nigerian figures have expressed condolences, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, who paid tribute to the late matriarch.
What you should know
The passing of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai marks a moment of personal loss for Nasir El-Rufai and his family, coming at a time of legal and political challenges.
Her burial in Abuja drew attention not only for its significance to the family but also due to the temporary release granted to the former governor.
The outpouring of condolences from top political figures highlights her influence and the respect commanded by the El-Rufai family within Nigeria’s political space.
