Umma El-Rufai, the mother of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, who is currently detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has passed away.

Ms El-Rufai’s grandson, Bello El-Rufai, confirmed her demise in a Facebook post on Friday.

“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,” Mr Bello posted.

“She is the biological mother of our father, Mallam Nasir @elrufai. We are grateful for the life she lived, and may Allah SWT bless her gentle soul. May He bless the souls of the parents we have lost. On behalf of our family, we seek your prayers. Thank you,” he wrote on Facebook.

Her demise comes amidst the prolonged detention of Mr El-Rufai, whom the ICPC, on Tuesday, arraigned before the Kaduna Division of the Federal High Court.

The former governor was arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion of public property and money laundering after one month in detention.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The hearing of his bail application was adjourned until March 31.

The presiding judge, Rilwanu Aikawa, fixed the date for the hearing after listening to arguments from both the defence and prosecution.