Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and ex-Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, have expressed sympathy with former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the death of his mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai.
Hajiya Umma died on Friday, March 27, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt, after a period of illness.
In a message shared on Saturday via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Malami described her death as a profound and irreplaceable loss. He also assured El-Rufai of his prayers and support during what he called a difficult period, especially amid the former governor’s ongoing legal challenges with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
“The death of a mother is an irreplaceable loss. I pray that Almighty Allah grants her Aljannatul Firdaus and gives you the strength to bear this sad loss,” Malami wrote.
Kwankwaso, in a separate condolence message on X, described the late matriarch as a woman whose life produced a legacy of remarkable children, noting that her impact would continue through them.
“The loss of a mother is profound and irreplaceable — a wound that time can never fully heal. May you find comfort in the legacy she leaves behind,” he said, while praying for divine mercy and forgiveness for the deceased.
The death of Hajiya Umma El-Rufai was announced by her grandson, Bello El-Rufai, in a Facebook post.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un… I wish to inform the public of the passing of my grandmother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai,” he wrote.
Following the development, the ICPC granted El-Rufai temporary bail to allow him participate in his mother’s funeral rites. His son, Bashir El-Rufai, confirmed the release on Friday night.
The late Hajiya Umma, who was reportedly about 100 years old, died just a week after the passing of her daughter-in-law, Safiya Ali Rufai, further deepening the family’s grief.
El-Rufai is currently facing trial before a Federal High Court in Kaduna after being arraigned on March 24, 2026, on a 10-count charge bordering on corruption and money laundering. The case has been adjourned until March 31, 2026, for the hearing of pending applications, including his bail request.
Several prominent figures, including President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, had earlier paid tribute to the late matriarch.
t
