Kaduna’s chief judge, Muhammad Aliyu, has declined the request by the embattled former governor Nasir El-Rufai to transfer his ongoing criminal case to another judge for a fresh trial.
Mr Aliyu, in a letter dated August 19, 2026, said there was no basis to take away the case file from Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court, before whom Mr El-Rufai is standing trial.
“I have studied and considered the petitions dated June 30, 2026 and July 6, 2026, respectively submitted by counsel for the defendant and the defendant, as well as Your Lordship’s responses to the said petitions dated July 16, 2026.
“Pursuant to the powers conferred on me under Section 111(1)+{4) of the Kaduna State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2017, a body of three reputable legal practitioners was constituted to investigate the petitions and submit its report. The committee submitted its report yesterday, August 18, 2026.
“The committee found no basis for the exercise of my administrative powers to transfer the matter from Your Lordship to another judge of the High Court of Justice, Kaduna State,” the letter stated.
The chief judge maintained that the trial judge should proceed with the trial.
The letter added, “Accordingly, Your Lordship shall proceed with the hearing and determination of the matter in accordance with the law and fairness.”
Mr El-Rufai, who is currently standing trial on a nine-count amended charge dated April 10, 2026 bordering on alleged advance-fee-fraud and corrupt-practices offences, wrote to Mr Aliyu seeking transfer of the case to another judge in the state.
The former governor’s decision followed an alleged refusal of Mr Khobo to grant him bail, pending the determination of the case.
Mr El-Rufai accused Mr Khobo of bias and predetermination to convict him, adding that the manner the judge conducts his trial suggests a “mob mentality and pressure mounted on him by some disgruntled Southern Kaduna leaders since this case was assigned to him”.
