Kashamu says NDLEA lied about notice of extradition to US

ABEOKUTA—The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday said it had   served a notice on  Senator-elect of Ogun East, Prince Buruji Kashamu for his extradition to the United States of America.

Buruji Kashamu

However, in a swift reaction, Kashamu denied being served any extradition letter, describing NDLEA’s claim as false. He explained that  a copy of the process was dropped in his counsel’s   Lagos office Monday, assuring that it would be dealt  with in accordance with the law.

The NDLEA, in a statement by its Head, Public Affairs, Mitchell Ofoyeju and made available to newsmen disclosed   that the office of the Attorney General of the Federation has made a fresh application to the chief judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking Kashamu’s extradition to the US to answer charges on alleged drug trafficking.

He said the agency served the notice of the suit officially   on Kashamu on  June 1, 2015.

Ofoyeju noted that the application made to the Federal High Court Chief Judge by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation for Kashamu’s extradition to the US was in accordance with the Extradition Act CAP, E25 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (as modified by Extradition Act Modification Order, 2014).

According to the NDLEA statement, “In an application made to the Chief Judge, Federal High Court, Abuja in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/479/2015, the office of the Attorney General of the Federation is seeking the extradition of Buruji Kashamu to answer alleged drug trafficking charges.

“This is in line with the Extradition Act CAP, E25 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (as modified by Extradition Act Modification Order, 2014). The notice of the suit was officially served on Kashamu by the NDLEA on 1st of June 2015.”

Meanwhile, the NDLEA has said that the House of Representatives has commended the Agency for the bold step it has taken in the extradition case involving the senator-elect.

The NDLEA said that the letter of commendation which was signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes Mr Jagaba Adams Jagaba stated that the Agency’s action would “go a long way in building the confidence of the international community in our country.”

I was not served any extradition letter— Kashamu

Counsel to Kashamu, Ajibola Oluyede, however, warned the  NDLEA to stay away from the extradition process, saying that it had  no role to play in current proceedings, until a warrant of arrest was issued by the court.

According to him, the agency had no role to play in the extradition proceedings, noting that  only the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice could  initiate extradition proceedings, after receiving a request by an order directed to the court to take over the matter.

Oluyede said: “It is the court that will decide whether a warrant of arrest is necessary. It is the court that will consider all the evidence provided by the United States to see whether it satisfies the onus of proof and that it establishes that the person sough is the person that actually participated in the offence alleged.”

 

Kashamu says NDLEA lied about notice of extradition to US