THE Kaduna State High Court has dismissed an application seeking the recusal of Justice Darius Khobo from the trial of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai.
News Point Nigeria reports that the court, in its ruling on the application, held that the applicant had not waived his right to complain of alleged bias by his conduct.
Justice Khobo, however, ruled that the multiple processes filed by the applicant before the Court of Appeal and the Kaduna State High Court constituted an abuse of court processes.
The court also held that the applicant failed to establish a likelihood of bias against him.
The court formulated three issues for determination in resolving the application.
On whether the applicant had waived his right to complain of bias by his conduct, the court resolved the issue in favour of the applicant, holding that the right had not been waived by mere conduct.
However, on the second issue, which was whether the applicant had abused the processes of the court, the court ruled in favour of the respondent, finding that the multiple processes filed before the Court of Appeal and the State High Court constituted an abuse of court process.
The third issue, which concerned whether there was a likelihood of bias against the applicant, was also resolved in favour of the respondent, with the court holding that the applicant failed to prove such likelihood.
In its final analysis, the court held that the application for recusal lacked merit and consequently refused and dismissed it.
The court directed that the trial on the substantive charge should continue on a day-to-day basis, as practicable in the circumstances.
It further ordered that the defendant remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, pending the continuation of the trial.
The case was adjourned to October 12 and 13, 2026, for accelerated hearing.
