Associate Reveals How El-Rufai Completed Qur’an, Read 10 Books in Detention

Associate Reveals How El-Rufai Completed Qur’an, Read 10 Books in Detention

Fresh insights have emerged into how former Kaduna State governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, spent his time in detention, with an associate disclosing that he immersed himself in religious devotion and intellectual activity while in custody.

The associate, Bashir Garba Sufyan, made the revelation in a post on X shortly after El-Rufai regained freedom, noting that the former governor observed fasting throughout his stay in detention.

“Alhamdulillah, Mallam is home with his family, friends and associates. The first thing he told us was that, since his detention, he had been fasting until yesterday,” Sufyan wrote.

“He also completed the Holy Qur’an while in detention, read 10 books, and has written some as well,” he added.

El-Rufai was released by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which had detained him since February 19, 2026, following his earlier interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for about 48 hours.

The anti-graft agency had arraigned him on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion of public property and money laundering before a Federal High Court in Kaduna, where his bail application was adjourned to March 31.

However, his release came hours after the death of his mother in Cairo, Egypt.

An ally confirmed his release without giving further details, while his son, Bashir El-Rufai, also announced that his father had regained freedom.

Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu have all sent condolence messages to the former governor over his mother’s death.

The reactions have drawn mixed responses on social media, with some describing the situation as indicative of elite connections, while others expressed sympathy over his personal loss.

El-Rufai has denied all allegations against him.