El-Rufai alleges plot to arrest brother over mother’s burial

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that security operatives planned to arrest his elder brother, Bashir El-Rufai, if he had returned to Nigeria for their mother’s burial.

According to El-Rufai, the alleged move was aimed at using Bashir as leverage to pressure him into negotiations.

In a video statement, the chieftain of the African Democratic Congress explained that his brother deliberately stayed away from the burial to avoid the risk of arrest.

According to him, “My elder brother Bashir El-Rufai couldn’t make it because we learned that there is a plan to arrest him because they believe if they get him, I will negotiate.”

Reports indicate that El-Rufai’s mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, died in Cairo on Friday. Her remains were later flown to Abuja, where she was buried on Sunday.

Her death occurred amid El-Rufai’s legal troubles, following his arrest and detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of corruption and money laundering.

The former governor was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24 on a 10-count charge. The case has been adjourned until March 31, 2026, for the hearing of pending applications, including his bail request.

He was, however, granted temporary release from ICPC custody to attend his mother’s burial.