Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai’s bid to have his ongoing criminal trial transferred from Justice Darius Hyet Khobo to another judge of the Kaduna State High Court has suffered a setback, with the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Muhammadu Tukur Mu’azu Aliyu, saying a three-member committee found no basis for the transfer.
The Chief Judge disclosed this in a letter dated August 19, 2026, addressed to Justice Khobo, following petitions submitted by El-Rufai and his counsel seeking the transfer of the charge between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, from the judge.
Justice Aliyu said he had considered the petitions dated June 30 and July 6, 2026, respectively, as well as Justice Khobo’s responses dated July 16.
He said he subsequently exercised his administrative powers under Sections of the Kaduna State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2017, to constitute a three-member committee of reputable legal practitioners to investigate the allegations contained in the petitions.
According to the Chief Judge, the committee submitted its report on August 18, 2026, and found no justification for the exercise of his administrative powers to transfer the case to another judge.
The development effectively clears the way for Justice Khobo to continue trial over the criminal proceedings against the former governor.
El-Rufai had, in his July 6 petition, alleged that he had lost confidence in Justice Khobo’s ability to preside over the case impartially.