Nefta, identified as a humanoid male, held a position within the Imperial Ruling Circle and was a Dark Side Adept who demonstrated allegiance to Galactic Emperor Palpatine during the era when Palpatine occupied clone bodies. Following Palpatine's demise at the hands of Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker, Nefta, in conjunction with another darksider, Sa-Di, opted to seize power instead of awaiting Palpatine's return in a newly cloned form. These adepts proceeded to eliminate the Emperor's clones that had survived a prior assault by Skywalker. However, Sedriss, the Executor fiercely loyal to Palpatine, observed Nefta and Sa-Di's betrayal and consequently killed them as punishment.
Nefta was a humanoid male who served as a member of the Imperial Ruling Circle and a Dark Side Adept under the command of Galactic Emperor Palpatine. Palpatine had been reborn within a clone body following his death during the Battle of Endor against the Rebel Alliance in 4 ABY. In 10 ABY, Palpatine initiated an assault targeting the Alliance—which had superseded the Galactic Empire to gain governing and territorial dominance over the galaxy—but was subsequently killed by Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker. Skywalker also destroyed Palpatine's clones stored within the Emperor's Citadel situated on the planet Byss. Unbeknownst to Skywalker, Palpatine maintained a concealed reserve of clones within the same citadel. Following the Emperor's demise, Executor Sedriss—a member of the Dark Side Elite, the distinguished group of Palpatine's Dark Jedi—assumed control of the Imperial forces, harboring the hope that Palpatine's spirit would eventually inhabit another clone, allowing the Emperor to reclaim his rule over the Empire.
Nefta, however, believed that the Emperor's return might be delayed for many years, potentially leading to the Empire's collapse in the absence of a leader. In conjunction with fellow darksider Sa-Di, Nefta aimed to claim the throne for themselves and resolved to ensure that Palpatine would not obstruct their path. Initially, they disseminated rumors regarding the Emperor's permanent death. Subsequently, upon Sedriss's departure to discipline the recently rebellious planet of Balmorra, they executed their final maneuver. Nefta and Sa-Di, equipped with a lightsaber and an axe respectively, launched an assault on the secret clone storage facility, systematically destroying each cloning tank. As they concluded their mission, Sedriss returned from Balmorra and witnessed the consequences of their actions. The Executor promptly resolved to execute the two for their betrayal and attacked Nefta with his lightsaber. Nefta managed to parry the initial strike with his own weapon but was swiftly slain by Sedriss, who subsequently executed Sa-Di as well. Unbeknownst to all three, Palpatine had already occupied a new clone body and observed the entire sequence from the shadows of a corridor. Following Nefta's and Sa-Di's deaths, the Emperor revealed himself and acknowledged Sedriss's unwavering loyalty.
Nefta possessed significant ambition, demonstrating a willingness to govern the Galactic Empire. Despite being regarded as one of Palpatine's closest associates, Nefta betrayed him through the destruction of the clones, a task he found deeply unpleasant but deemed essential for the preservation of the Empire.
Nefta demonstrated competence in handling a lightsaber, employing one to destroy the clone tanks. He also appeared to possess some Force powers, which Sedriss characterized as "magic." However, neither Nefta's lightsaber skills nor his Force abilities proved sufficient to overcome the Executor.
Nefta's singular appearance within Star Wars Legends occurs in the initial issue of the Star Wars: Dark Empire II comic book series, authored by Tom Veitch and illustrated by Cam Kennedy. Nefta and Sa-Di are unique in the comic series for having their dialogue presented in white text on a black background within speech bubbles, deviating from the standard black text on white. Nefta is entirely absent from the audio adaptation of Dark Empire II, where Sa-Di independently destroys the clones.
His name likely alludes to Nefta, a town in Tunisia that served as a filming location for scenes in the 1977 film Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.
Beyond his solitary appearance, Nefta received brief mentions in various sources, including the 2002 publication The New Essential Guide to Characters and The Emperor's Pawns, an article featured in the fifth issue of Star Wars Gamer magazine. This article contains a continuity error, asserting that the Emperor's Hand Sarcev Quest betrayed Nefta and Sa-Di while abusing his authority within the Ruling Council. However, Quest's ascent to power transpired after Palpatine's ultimate death in 11 ABY, a year following Sedriss's execution of Nefta and Sa-Di.