Kaduna CJ rejects El-Rufai’s request to transfer corruption trial to another judge
The Chief Judge of Kaduna State has rejected former Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s request for the transfer of his ongoing trial from Justice Darius Hyet Khobo to another judge.
The decision followed an investigation ordered by the Chief Judge into allegations raised by El-Rufai against Justice Khobo.
In a letter to the trial judge, the Chief Judge said a three-member panel of experienced legal practitioners was constituted under Section 111(1)-(4) of the Kaduna State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2017, to examine the petitions and submit its findings.
The committee submitted its report on August 18, 2026, and found no sufficient grounds for the Chief Judge to exercise his administrative powers to move the case to another judge.
The Chief Judge consequently directed Justice Khobo to continue with the proceedings and determine the case in accordance with the law and principles of fairness.
El-Rufai had petitioned the Chief Judge on July 6, alleging that Justice Khobo was biased against him and had effectively prejudged the case through a ruling delivered on June 10.
The former governor further alleged that the judge had links to political, religious and community figures in Southern Kaduna who were opposed to his administration between 2015 and 2023.
According to El-Rufai, information available to him indicated that Justice Khobo attended several gatherings in Kaduna and Southern Kaduna between March and May 2026, where he allegedly assured some leaders that he would deny the former governor bail and ensure his conviction.
El-Rufai said he initially doubted the allegations but claimed that reports from his supporters convinced him that the judge had allegedly discussed his case at the gatherings.
He argued that the alleged conduct created an appearance of bias and raised serious concerns about whether he could receive a fair hearing before the judge.
The former governor also linked the alleged hostility to decisions taken during his tenure, particularly his administration’s security measures in Southern Kaduna.
El-Rufai claimed that his government’s deployment of security infrastructure and other measures had weakened political and economic networks that, in his view, had benefited from prolonged communal conflicts in the region.
He maintained that those actions were lawful and contributed to improved security during his tenure, but also created political enemies who, he alleged, were now seeking revenge through his prosecution.
In his petition, El-Rufai accused Justice Khobo of allowing himself to become an instrument of political retaliation, while stressing that he was not necessarily alleging that the judge was personally part of any alleged political group.
He said he was prepared to provide the identities of individuals who allegedly attended the meetings and other information to relevant authorities privately if required.
However, following the panel’s investigation, the Chief Judge concluded that there was no basis to transfer the case.
Justice Khobo is therefore expected to continue presiding over the matter, with the trial proceeding before the Kaduna State High Court.
