Kaduna Governor Remains in Anti-Graft Agency's Detention Following Mother's Funeral

Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, has been remanded back into the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after a brief period of temporary release to attend to a family matter.

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El-Rufai's temporary release was granted on March 27, 2026, to enable him to attend his mother's burial, following her death in Cairo, and he was subsequently re-arraigned upon his return on Tuesday.

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His mother's burial ceremony took place in Abuja on Sunday and was attended by several high-profile political figures, marking a significant gathering of prominent individuals.

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On Tuesday, the former governor made an appearance before the Kaduna State High Court in connection with a separate charge filed by the ICPC, but the proceedings were halted due to the absence of a co-defendant.

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The court was forced to adjourn the matter until April 10, 2026, as a result of the co-defendant's absence, necessitating a postponement of the proceedings.

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Following the adjournment, El-Rufai was taken to the Federal High Court in Kaduna, where a hearing for his bail application was scheduled to take place.

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The court had previously fixed March 31, 2026, as the date to consider El-Rufai's bail request, and after the court appearances, he was returned to ICPC custody.

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El-Rufai's return to ICPC custody marks the continuation of legal proceedings in the cases against him, as the various matters unfold in the courts.