WINDOW ROCK – The District Court of the Navajo Nation Judicial District of Window Rock, Arizona issued an order on May 7 dismissing the Second Amended Ethics Complaint filed by the Special Prosecutor Kyle Nayback against Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, ruling that the case was filed in the wrong forum and that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.
The court found that Navajo law requires these types of ethics complaints to be handled through the Ethics and Rules Committee process, not through the court, and stated that the Special Prosecutor failed to properly establish the court’s authority to act.
“From the beginning, I have said this process must follow Navajo law and respect the proper role of our institutions. Today’s ruling confirms that these complaints were brought in the wrong forum and that the law and procedures of the Navajo Nation matter. Our administration remains focused on serving the Navajo people, delivering results for our communities, and moving the Nation forward together.”
The court did not rule on President Nygren’s separate arguments challenging the validity of the 2010 Special Prosecutor law and allegations of political abuse. Those claims, the court ruled, can be brought in a new lawsuit.
Importantly, the order emphasized that the dismissal was procedural and that the parties may still pursue claims in the proper forum if they choose. The court stressed that jurisdictional rules exist to ensure fairness, accountability, and proper separation of powers within the Navajo Nation government.
The court also highlighted traditional Navajo principles of resolving disputes by “talking things out,” finding healing through ceremony, and through peacemaking, and expressed concern that the conflict between political branches had become overly focused on litigation instead of practical solutions and harmony.
Judge Malcolm Begay encouraged all parties to consider restorative approaches rooted in Navajo values while leaving the door open for future filings brought through the proper legal channels.
