AGF, Senate, NDLEA agree to halt Kashamu’s extradition

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the authorities of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Saturday agreed with the Senate to halt the alleged abduction of the senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Buruji Kashamu, to the United States.

Buruji Kashamu

Kashamu had alleged penultimate week that the anti drug agency was conniving with the authorities of the US government to abduct him from Nigeria, through unlawful means.

Kashamu’s lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, had in a petition to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, claimed that NDLEA operatives had perfected strategies to forcefully take him to the US in order to answer drug related charges.

He had urged both the NDLEA and the office of the Attorney-General to drop the alleged plan and follow the rule of law in prosecuting Kashamu.

It specifically directed the two government establishments to stay any further action on Kashamu’s alleged drug charges in America, pending thorough investigation of issues raised in Kashamu’s petition against them.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, said the parties had resolved to halt further action on the matter pending the determination of the suit on the matter at the court.

Anyanwu said, “The Senate, AGF, NDLEA have unanimously agreed to stop further harassment, intimidation, abduction and extradition of Kashamu until the conclusion of the matter at the law court.

“We had also agreed that the rules of law and due process must be followed in the case.”

AGF, Senate, NDLEA agree to halt Kashamu’s extradition

Mother of three vomits cocaine at Abuja airport

Forty-eight-year-old Saidat Hassan, was on her way out of the country with a strange substance in her stomach when she suddenly became sick at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Drugs trafficking, The drugs

Before anybody could ask if she was okay, Hassan had vomited fifteen wraps of white powdery substances which later tested positive for cocaine.

According to the spokesperson for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, the incident took place at the central screening section of the departure hall during the screening of passengers on an Egypt Airline flight to Jidda, Saudi Arabia en-route Cairo.

“She was immediately apprehended by NDLEA officers, who later discovered that she had ingested 80 wraps of cocaine weighing 904 grammes,” Ofoyeju said.

It was learnt that when officials realised that what Hassan had vomited was cocaine, they placed her under observation till she excreted 65 more wraps of the drug.

The NDLEA commander at the airport, Mr. Hamisu Lawan, said that efforts were made to protect her from any harm resulting from drug ingestion.

Hassan, who told officials that she is a native of Idiroko, Ogun State, but resides in Lagos Island, explained that she is a business woman who deals in clothing materials.

She said in her statement, “I buy my goods from Ghana. I was introduced into the drug business by a friend and business partner. The drug was brought from Abidjan, Ivory Coast and we were supposed to share the proceeds equally.

“Until my arrest, I never knew that the cocaine I ingested could have led to my death in Saudi Arabia. I thank God for keeping me alive.”

Few years ago, a female drug trafficker, Ifeoma Joy, who vomited 79 wraps of cocaine at the departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos later died when part of the drug burst in her stomach.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Col. Mohammad Abdallah (retd.) expressed satisfaction with her arrest and directed that she must be duly prosecuted.

Abdallah stated “A mother of three children swallowing cocaine is the height of parental ineptitude. I am glad that she did not die from drug ingestion and she is alive to face trial. This arrest has also saved her because drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia, her final destination, is punishable by death.

“I expect the general public to draw lessons from this case that drug trafficking leads to immeasurable pain, ignominy and untimely death.”

Meanwhile, the Ondo command of the NDLEA has said that it seized 64 tons of hard drugs and 24 tons of cannabis in the last one year.

The State Commander, Mr. Mohammed Sokoto stated this while speaking at the Awareness Workshop on Psychotropic Substances organised in collaboration with the state branch of the National Association of Parent Medicine Dealers in Akure, Ondo State, on Friday.

Mother of three vomits cocaine at Abuja airport

NDLEA finds N59m cocaine in whiskey packs

NATIONAL Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives have foiled plans by two men to import N59 million worth of hard drugs hidden in Irish whiskey packs and wooden frames.

Drugs trafficking, The drugs

The wraps of powdery substance, which tested positive to cocaine, were intercepted at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.

The suspects are Michael Okwuma, 31, found with 3.400kg of cocaine hidden in wooden frames and James Nwajagu, caught with 3.240kg of cocaine in Irish whiskey packs.

NDLEA Airport Commander Ahmadu Garba, in a statement narrated how the suspects were nabbed.

“Okwuma took off from Guarulhos International Airport, São Paulo, Brazil in a South African Airways flight through Johannesburg to Lagos. Nwajagu also left Brazil in an Emirates flight through United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Lagos. Both suspects will soon be charged to court,” Garba said.

Okwuma told investigators that he was given the drugs by a Nigerian who is like a father to him in Brazil.

He said: “I live in São Paulo with my wife and child. I work in a supermarket but my salary is not sufficient to take care of my family. The man that gave me the drug is like a father to me. He used to assist me financially whenever I needed help. I told him I was home sick because for two years I have not visited Nigeria. He was the one that bought my ticket and gave me $3,000. I was very happy for the gesture. He also gave me a bag containing children clothes and wooden frames to take to Nigeria. When I got to Lagos, NDLEA officers opened the bag and found cocaine.”

Nwajagu said he was told to bring a bag to Nigeria and be settled financially.

“I was in my village in Anambra doing menial jobs to sustain myself. I came to Lagos on a short visit when I met an old friend. He was very nice to me because he used to give me money, buy me drinks and food. He told me to bring a bag from Brazil and that he will settle me financially to start my own business. That was how I travelled out of Nigeria. On arrival, the bag was searched and cocaine was found inside packs of Irish whiskey. I never knew I will end up this way,” he said.

NDLEA finds N59m cocaine in whiskey packs

New ways to launder cash, by NDLEA

The arrest at the weekend at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, of Udeh Onuora Pascal (34), with 108 Automated Teller Machines (ATM) debit cards may have opened a lead to the discovery of another means of money laundering.

Udeh is suspected to be working for an international criminal organisation.

It was learnt that security agencies attached to major international airports have discovered that passengers now launder huge sums of money abroad by loading money into unsuspecting  people’s accounts with the plan of pulling the cash out using debit cards on arrival at their destination .

The new trick, according to officials of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is to beat the Customs and Immigration checks at the airport, which require them to declare any foreign currency in excess of $5,000.

According to regulations, passengers are expected to fill certain forms at the airport if they are in possession of any foreign currency above the prescribed amount.

The forms issued by Nigerian Customs Service, is to ensure that huge foreign currencies are documented by the service and relevant checks carried out on its owners before they leave the country.

Spokesman of the NDLEA Mr. Mitchel Ofoyeju, said some passengers are now taking steps to beat existing regulations by using people’s accounts to launder money.

He said the NDLEA and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have tightened security to prevent money laundering through the airports.

The synergy, he said, may have pushed some passengers to think of ingenious ways to launder money by using credit cards obtained from people in whose account they have lodged huge sums of money.

Udeh was attempting to board a Qatar Airline flight to China when he was arrested with the debit cards which belong to five commercial banks.

The suspect, who was first transferred to the Assets and Financial Investigation Directorate of the Agency for investigation, has now been turned over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), according to Mrs. Victoria Egbase, the NDLEA director of assets and financial investigation department.

The suspect, in his statement said he was asked to take the cards to China.

“I am not the owner of the cards. I was told to take them to China and that somebody will collect them from me when I get there. I have a shop where I sell clothes at Onitsha main market. I am also a 300 level student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State studying History and International Relations.

“I never knew it would lead to my arrest,” said Udeh who hails from Obibi in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.

New ways to launder cash, by NDLEA

Another passenger arrested with $34,000 at Lagos airport

An attempt by a passenger to smuggle 23 wraps containing $34,000 has been foiled by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Ibiteye after his arrest…on July 3 / •The cash said to have been found on Ibiteye

The suspect, Ozoh Ikenna, was arrested  yesterday at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos on his way to Brazil.

The dollars were detected during screening of passengers on the Etihad Airways flight to Abu Dhabi.

The money was packed in wraps similar to narcotics and concealed in his shorts.

The NDLEA Airport Commander, Ahmadu Garba, said  the arrest was facilitated by the scanning machine.

“The wraps of dollars found on Ozoh Ikenna were detected with the aid of scanning machine. We also conducted a follow-up operation where one Ogbo Emmanuel who gave Ozoh  $34,000 was arrested,”  Garba stated.

Investigation conducted by the Assets and Financial Investigation Directorate headed by Mrs Victoria Egbase revealed that the suspects were involved in the laundering of a substantial amount of money which was illicit drug proceeds.

Egbase said:”We were able to trace over N226,000,000 to one bank account, belonging to the second suspect, Ogbo Emmanuel. The account name is Eternal God International Limited”.

Ogbo Emmanuel hails from Umunya in the Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State. After his primary and secondary education, he travelled to Onitsha to work as an automobile parts businessman.

In 1996, he relocated to Lagos. In 2005, he left Nigeria for Gambia in search of greener pastures. While in Gambia, he travelled to Germany twice to purchase fairly used electronic equipment.

Ogbo came back to Lagos in 2008 and had been selling  cosmetic products at the Trade Fair Complex, Lagos.

Ozoh, in his statement, said:  “I live in Brazil since 2008. I was paid to smuggle the $34,000 to Brazil. They promised to pay me five per cent. I agreed to smuggle the money to alleviate my financial hardship. I could not swallow the wraps, so I decided to hide them in my shorts.”

Investigation also revealed that suspected drug proceeds were regularly deposited in the said bank account by members of an international drug cell that smuggles cocaine from South America to West Africa.

Findings also revealed that the cosmetic business of Ogbo Emmanuel at the Trade Fair Complex, Lagos was a mere cover-up as his sales record did not justify the large flow of money into his bank account. A Hyundai Tucson Jeep was seized as an exhibit during the raid operation.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade,  said that the agency is strategically targeting criminal wealth.

“Asset forfeiture is one of the effective ways of responding to organised crime threats. We are working assiduously to trace and confiscate criminal wealth of drug syndicates. Strategic efforts are ongoing to prevent the entry of drug proceeds into legitimate economy and criminal financing,” Giade stated.

The NDLEA boss assured members of the public that in view of the overwhelming evidence linking the money to narcotics, the agency will diligently prosecute the suspects.

Another passenger arrested with $34,000 at Lagos airport

Residents accuse NDLEA of drowning law graduate in Lagos

Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have been accused of drowning a 32-year-old graduate of Law, Dapo Olasore, in the Agboyi, Alapere area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident happened on Sunday after the officials, who came in two vans without number plates, raided the area.

Our correspondent gathered that Olasore, aka Omopo, was about boarding a canoe to a neighbouring community to see a relative, when the officials stormed the community.

They were said to have shot sporadically into the air, sending frightened residents fleeing in different directions.

However, Olasore, who was by the riverside, was said to have been held by the trousers by the NDLEA men; and in a bid to free himself, fell into the water.

A boatman, who attempted to save him, was said to have been threatened with guns, leading to the death of the victim.

When our correspondent visited the community, he observed a crowd of residents and motorcyclists in the area, who had got wind of the news, at the riverside.

It was learnt that the victim, who graduated from a university in Ondo State, joined the National Union of Road Transport Workers in 2014, after he could not get a job.

His family was said to be resident in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

A witness and friend of the victim, Tosin Oshin, said the NDLEA officials arrived around 10.45am.

He said, “It happened around 10.45am. We suddenly saw two white vehicles in our community. They began shooting into the air and everybody started running helter-skelter.

“They went to the riverside, where Omopo (Olasore) was about boarding a canoe. As Omopo saw one of them, he wanted to run like other people, but the officers held him. In the struggle to free himself, he fell into the river.

“A boat operator, who was about to rescue him, was threatened with guns. Omopo raised his hand and asked for help, but they didn’t help him.”

Oshin said immediately the incident happened, the officials fled the community with two suspects.

The boat operator, Dayo Seun, said before the victim finally drowned, he made an attempt to rescue him, but the officials prevented him.

He said, “I was on the other side of the river when I saw the man fall inside the river. I quickly paddled my canoe to the place he fell into to rescue him, but they pointed their guns at me, and asked me to go back.”

A resident, Omolara Adekunle, said the anti-narcotics officials were always harassing residents, adding that after making arrests, they usually collected about N40,000 for bail.

“It is not only the NDLEA that come here to conduct this illegal raid. The police too are complicit; they have no fear of God.

“Those they arrest, they collect between N40, 000 to N45,000 from their relatives before they release them.”

Another resident, Ayeni Oluwatoyin, told our correspondent that one of the suspects arrested, one Sunday Babalola, was planning his graduation as a qualified mechanic for August 26.

Oluwatoyin, who showed our correspondent a vest the suspect had distributed to his friends for the celebration, said Babalola was giving out the vests when he was arrested.

“After collecting the vests from him, they (NDLEA men) grabbed him by the neck and hit him. The boy begged them, but they did not let him go,” she said.

A resident said the community would hold a procession for the victim, after his remains had been found.

“By Tuesday, his body should float. We will hold a candlelight procession for him on Friday,” she said.

The NDLEA spokesperson, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, confirmed that there was a raid on the community by the agency, but denied knowledge that anybody was drowned.

He said, “The NDLEA went in search of a notorious drug dealer, named Saheed, following an information on his activities, which has constituted nuisance to people in that neighbourhood.

“Unfortunately, we did not find him as of the time of getting to the place. One Babalola was arrested and he was found with 1.3 kilogrammes of cannabis. During the operation, some people escaped through the river because they knew their activities contravened the NDLEA Act. But we are not aware anybody drowned.”

Residents accuse NDLEA of drowning law graduate in Lagos

NDLEA probes Arik attendant caught with N105m cocaine

OPERATIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Tuesday night stormed the headquarters of Arik Air in Ikeja Lagos following the arrest in London of a crew member of the airline for allegedly being in possession of cocaine.

The Arik crew member, identified by the anti-narcotics agency as Chika Egwu Udensi, was arrested on Monday night by operatives of the United Kingdom Border Force with 20 kilogrammes of cocaine in London.

The NDLEA agents were said to have searched Udensi’s latest Range Rover parked on the airline’s premises. Arik spokesman, Adebanji Ola, confirmed the visit by the NDLEA’s operatives.

Udensi was arrested at the London Heathrow Airport shortly after an Arik Air flight W3101 that departed from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, touched down in the UK.

Udensi’s arrest came barely two years after two crew members of the Arik Air were similarly nabbed by the UK Border Force in London.

Officials of the NDLEA on Tuesday put the street value of the drug found with the suspect at £350,000 (N105m).

The Arik Air on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of its cabin crew member by the UK Border Force.

The airline, in a statement which read like the one issued after the 2013 incident, said it had commenced investigation into how the banned substance got into the suspect’s possession.

The statement by Ola, read, “A member of Arik Air cabin crew was on Monday night arrested at the Heathrow Airport, London, by the UK Border Force in connection with alleged possession of item suspected to be a banned substance.

“The airline is presently carrying out its private investigation to determine how the cabin crew member came about the suspected banned substance.

“Arik Air will also be cooperating fully with the UK authorities and other appropriate agencies in their investigations.”

The statement added, “The airline again reaffirms its commitment to the fight against drug and illicit substances trafficking and will not tolerate the use of any of its aircraft or crew for the courier of banned items and substances.

“Arik Air carries out very stringent checks on all members of staff and its travelling guests ahead of all flights. The airline will continue to focus its attention on measures to prevent the possibility of any future similar incidents.

“Arik Air is a responsible Nigerian company, always seeking to maintain and uphold the integrity and proud reputation of the nation.”

Our correspondent learnt that the Managing Director of the airline, Mr. Chris Ndulue; and the Director of Flight Operation, Captain Ado Sanusi, were onboard the flight.

A top official of the airline, who spoke to The PUNCH in confidence, said that Ndulue and Sanusi travelled on the flight for a “special meeting” in the UK.

Details of the said meeting were not known as of press time.

When asked whether Ndulue and Sanusi were onboard the flight and their mission in the UK, the airline’s spokesperson, Ola, simply answered, “I don’t know; I don’t know.”

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, on Tuesday ordered investigation into the operations of Arik Air following the development.

The Nigerian anti-narcotics agency said in a statement that it had notified the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom of the arrest.

The statement quoted Giade as saying, “The agency will carry out full scale investigation into this case to ascertain those behind the criminal act. We shall work closely with our international collaborators on the matter. Arik Airline will be sanctioned if found wanting.

“The agency shall invoke section 25 of the NDLEA Act against the airline, which states that it shall be the duty of every commercial carrier to take reasonable precaution to ensure that its means of transport are not used in the commission of offences under this Act.

“Every commercial carrier is expected to comply with appropriate security measures at points of entry and exit in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other customs control areas, to prevent unauthorised cargo in its means of transportation.

“The law refers to the precautionary measures to include training of personnel, promotion of integrity of their personnel, submission of cargo manifests in advance, use of tamper-resistant, individually verifiable seals on containers and reporting to the agency at the earliest opportunity all suspicious circumstances relating to drug trafficking.

“Nigeria has a cordial working relationship with the United Kingdom in drug control. This has resulted to a drastic reduction in the number of arrests made in the United Kingdom from flights originating from Nigeria over the years.”

In December 2011, another Arik Air cabin crew, Ms. Chinwendu Uwakaonyenma Ogbonnaya, was similarly arrested in London for drug trafficking.

She was subsequently jailed for five years in London.

Also in 2013, precisely on May 21,   two female crew members of the airline were arrested at the same Heathrow Airport in London for suspected drug trafficking.

The two had been arrested after a package of drugs was discovered by Border Force officers on a bus which had been used to transport air crew.

The street value of their haul as of the time had been put at around £600,000.

NDLEA probes Arik attendant caught with N105m cocaine

Revelation: Former NHIS Exe. Secretary owns $2.1m seized at Lagos Airport

The man the Economic and Fiancial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is seeking to question over the $2.1 million cash seized at the Lagos Airport yesterday denied that he was on the run.

Ibiteye after his arrest…on July 3 / •The cash said to have been found on Ibiteye

A former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr. Olufemi Thomas, said he was ready to be at the EFCC whenever he is invited.

His media aide, Mr. Sola Adeyemi, in a statement in Lagos, said: “Dr. Femi Thomas is a law-abiding public individual that has traceable addresses in Lagos and Ekiti. He is a man that I work with and I know him for his words and actions. As I speak, we are yet to receive any formal invitation from any quarter on the allegation.

“For the avoidance of doubt, my boss is not on the run, he is in Nigeria, he is available and ready to present himself to the EFCC as soon as he is invited.”

But an EFCC source yesterday said investigators were awaiting Thomas, who reportedly could not be located in the last three weeks.

It was gathered that the EFCC was considering calling on the International Police (INTERPOL) to arrest him, after watch-listing the former Executive Secretary of NHIS.

Even as the EFCC seeks to quizz Thomas, there is a fresh revelation that the NHIS bought a plot of land for N990 million.

The seized cash is suspected to be part of the inflated land deal, The Nation learnt.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “There is pressure on the former Executive Secretary of NHIS to surrender to EFCC. I think he has decided to go to the anti-graft commission voluntarily to ‘protect his name and family.”

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on July 3, 2015 arrested a bureau de change operator, Ibiteye John Bamidele, at MMA Terminal 2 (MMA2) Lagos with the $2.1 million.

The Head of Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mitchel Ofoyeju, said Bamidele was arrested by anti-narcotic officials, who suspected that the cash was for money laundering.

The NDLEA handed over the suspect to the EFCC on July 8, 2015, following his “confession” that he was on a money laundering errand for the ex-NHIS boss.

Besides the $2.1 million, the EFCC is said to be probing how NHIS bought a plot of land for more space at its headquarters in Abuja for N990 million.

A source said: “When a former Executive Secretary, Mr. Waziri Dogo-Muhammed, was in charge before Thomas came on board, he refused to buy the same plot at N350million.

“In order to evade scrutiny by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), NHIS bought the land at N990 million. Any expenditure from N1 billion upward goes to FEC for consideration.

“This is still a major accountability challenge facing NHIS. The anti-graft commission has received complaint on this too.”

Dr. Thomas, speaking through his aide on July 26, said the land near the NIHS’ Abuja Head Office was acquired to solve the acute accommodation challenges facing the scheme, the need to have enough space for future expansion and the appreciating value of land in the highbrow Cadastral Zone.

Besides, he described “as total falsehood that due diligence was not followed in the acquisition of the landed property”, pointing out that NHIS’ supervising Health Ministry approved it.

His words: ‘’When the management wanted to buy the land, as it is the practice, we called the Federal Ministry of Works, and they sent their evaluation department to evaluate the property and the report by the ministry put the value of the property at N1.5 billion.

‘’Beyond that level of due process, the purchase was approved by the Ministerial Tenders’ Board because it was beyond the approving power of the NHIS Tenders Management Committee.

‘’The negotiation was so tight that we could not pay agency fee. The evaluation report by the Federal Ministry of Works showed that the landed property, which is about 4000 square metres, has a piled foundation for the development of a seven-storey building valued at N300 million.”

Adeyemi said it was news to the former NHIS chief that the management before his turned down offers.

The allegation, Adeyemi said, was a calculated attempt to discredit his boss and tarnish his image.

“My boss was not aware of previous offers made to his two predecessors at N300 million and N450 million,’’ he noted, adding that “the need to purchase the land was necessitated by the acute shortage of space for staff. In the office, two or more staff were sharing a desk and we realised this may hamper operation and efficiency.

‘’We also know it made a sense of economic of scale  to buy this parcel of land, which has two plots beside our head office than having another headquarters extension in Gudu. We were also conscious of the rate at which the value of land in Abuja appreciates. So, we believe it is not a bad investment for the scheme’’.

The statement described as “unfounded” that N49.5 million was paid as agency fee to a firm believed to be owned by Thomas’ associate, saying no agency fee was paid on the property.

Revelation: Former NHIS Exe. Secretary owns $2.1m seized at Lagos Airport

EFCC Identifies Owner Of $2.1m Seized at Lagos Airport

Ex-federal agency chief may be declared wanted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) yesterday said it had traced about $2.1million (N413million) seized at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos to a former Executive Secretary of a federal parastatal.

Ibiteye after his arrest…on July 3 / •The cash said to have been found on Ibiteye

The commission said it might be forced to declare the man wanted if he does not show up for questioning.

The agency said all attempts to locate the man in Lagos and Abuja proved futile.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on July 3 arrested a bureau de change operator, Mr. Ibiteye John Bamidele, at MMA Terminal 2 (MMA2) Lagos with the cash.

The Head of Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mitchel Ofoyeju, said Bamidele was arrested by anti-narcotic officials, who suspected that the cash was to be laundered.

The NDLEA handed over the suspect to the EFCC on July 8, following his confession that he was on money laundering errand for the ex-official.

It was, however, learnt that all attempts by the EFCC to interrogate the suspect had failed.

A top source in the agency said: “The EFCC has finalised a plan to declare the former parastatal’s chief wanted, over a $2.1million money laundering case.

“The anti-graft agency has been on his trail for weeks, since a certain Ibiteye John Bamidele named him as the owner of a $2,198,900 haul, recovered from him by men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

“Ibiteye was arrested on July 3, 2015 at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos by the NDLEA and handed over to the EFCC on July 8, for further investigation.

“The suspect, upon interrogation, named as the owner of the money, but all efforts to locate him both in Lagos and his known address in Abuja proved futile.”

The Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “We have plans to declare the man  wanted. We urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the Commission or the nearest police station.”

EFCC Identifies Owner Of $2.1m Seized at Lagos Airport

Court rules against Kashamu"s suit to jail NDLEA chairman

Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday refused to commit the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmed Giade, to prison.

Buruji Kashamu

He said the committal proceedings initiated by Senator Buruji Kashamu, who the NDLEA is seeking to extradite to the United States to face drug-related charges, had become academic.

He said a similar application was decided by another judge of the court, Justice Okon Abang.

Justice Abang had barred the NDLEA from giving effect to a warrant of arrest for Kashamu.

He nullified the provisional warrant of arrest secured by the NDLEA against Kashamu.

Justice Abang also declared that until the judgment of the court against extradition was appealed against and set aside by the Court of Appeal, no extradition proceedings could commence against Kashamu.

The judge held that the provisional warrant of arrest was obtained without jurisdiction as the attention of the judge who signed it was not drawn to the existing order barring NDLEA and the AGF from taking any steps in the extradition process.

The court declared the proceedings before the Abuja Court a nullity.

Yesterday, Justice Buba said the order must be complied with until set aside by a superior court.

The judge also dismissed a preliminary objection filed by the NDLEA, saying from the processes before him, he was satisfied that the defendants were properly served.

The judge went on to determine the merit of the contempt application, and held that since Justice Abang had previously ruled on a similar case, the instant suit had become an academic exercise and unnecessary.

“There should be no overzealous conduct from either of the parties. Government agencies must abide by the rule of law to avoid anarchy.

“They (AGF and NDLEA chairman) should be of good behaviour until their appeal is determined

“No matter how aggrieved, they should abide by the order of court until there is a counter order from a superior court.

“For the avoidance of doubt, orders of Justice Abang are still subsisting and must be complied with,” Justice Buba held.

Kashamu, through his lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, in the committal application, said Justice Abang, on January 6, last year, restrained security agencies from arresting Kashamu in respect of allegations contained in a petition dated December 18, 2009.

Oluyede claimed that the alleged contemnors wilfully and deliberately violated the judgment and court order under the pretense of responding to a request for Kashamu’s extradition made by the US government regarding allegations of the applicant’s complicity in narcotic offences committed in the US in 1994, a matter which Kashamu said had been decided by a British Court in 2003.

He accused Giade of plotting to pre-empt the judicial process by deploying about 50 armed NDLEA officials, pursuant to the verbal instruction of the AGF, to invade Kashamu’s home around 4am on May 23.

The AGF had appealed against earlier orders made by Justice Buba and Justice Abang barring security agencies from arresting or extraditing Senator Kashamu over drug charges in the United States.

Justice Buba had, on June 8, barred the NDLEA from extraditing Kashamu, and held that the respondents shall not in the face of the court’s subsisting judgments/orders and pending suit enforce the May 25 warrant of arrest or arraign Kashamu based on the extradition process filed on May 28.

But in the appeal filed on the AGF’s behalf by Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), the appellant said Justice Buba ought to have dismissed Kashamu’s suit as an abuse of court process.

It said the court had no supervisory jurisdiction over another Federal High Court of coordinate jurisdiction hearing extradition proceedings duly commenced before it.

Besides, it said the court cannot fetter the hands of security or prosecuting agencies in the lawful discharge of their functions.

According to the AGF, Justice Buba’s order was made without jurisdiction and sought to shield a fugitive from facing a duly initiated extradition.

Justice Abang, on May 27, held that Kashamu should not be abducted, kidnapped or unlawfully arrested and taken to America by force to face criminal charges without the respondents following the provisions of Extradition Act 2004.

The AGF, in the appeal against the ruling, said Justice Abang based his judgment on assumptions and speculations which were not permitted in judicial proceedings.

Besides, the appellant said Kashamu’s claims as formulated in his originating processes do not fall within the ambit of the provisions of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution.

“There is a presumption that the State as represented by 1st -12th Respondents cannot engage in criminal activities such as ‘abduction’ or ‘kidnapping’ of her citizens which formed the kernel of the applicant’s case,” the appellant said.

Court rules against Kashamu"s suit to jail NDLEA chairman

FG appeals orders on Kashamu’s arrest, extradition

The Federal Government has appealed against the court orders made by Justice Ibrahim Buba and Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Lagos, barring security agencies from arresting or extraditing Senator Buruji Kashamu over drug charges in the United States.

Buruji Kashamu

Justice Buba on June 8 barred the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) from extraditing Kashamu.

The judge had ordered that the respondents shall not in the face of the court’s subsisting judgments/orders and pending suit enforce the May 25 warrant of arrest or arraign Kashamu based on the extradition process filed on May 28.

He said it was “so as not to get conflicting orders whilst cases are pending and judgments/orders subsisting, including committal proceedings.”

But in the appeal filed on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation by Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), the appellant said Justice Buba ought to have dismissed Kashamu’s suit as an abuse of court process.

It said the court has no supervisory jurisdiction over another Federal High Court of coordinate jurisdiction hearing extradition proceedings duly commenced before it.

Besides, it said the court cannot fetter the hands of security or prosecuting agencies in the lawful discharge of their functions.

According to the AGF, Justice Buba’s order was made without jurisdiction and seeks to shield a fugitive from facing a duly initiated extradition.

The appellant added that the trial judge erred in law in making the order without hearing from the AGF, thereby breaching his right to fair hearing.

“The trial court is under obligation to hear all the parties before making the order that seeks to prevent the 1st Respondent from performing his statutory duties under the Extradition Act Cap E25 LFN 2004.

“Failure to hear the first respondent (AGF) before making the order is fatal to the proceedings. The first respondent was not afforded fair hearing in the proceedings,” the appellant said.

It, therefore, sought orders allowing the appeal; setting aside the decision of the lower court contained in the June 8 ruling and an order dismissing Kashamu’s suit.

Ngige yesterday told Justice Buba that he also filed a stay of execution of the order at the Court of Appeal pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.

He also sought an order staying further proceedings in the suit before Justice Buba pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.

Ngige said Kashamu was seeking to prevent federal agencies from performing their statutory duties under the Extradition Act.

Justice Abang, on May 27, held that Kashamu should not be abducted, kidnapped or unlawfully arrested and taken to America by force to face criminal charges without the respondents following the provisions of Extradition Act 2004.

He said taking Kashamu out of the country by force or without his consent would constitute a breach of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement as enshrined in sections 35(I) and 40 of 1999 Constitution as amended.

But the AGF, in the appeal, said Justice Abang based his judgment on assumptions and speculations which are not permitted in judicial proceedings.

Besides, the appellant said Kashamu’s claims as formulated in his originating processes do not fall within the ambit of the provisions of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution.

“There is a presumption that the State as represented by 1st -12th Respondents cannot engage in criminal activities such as ‘abduction’ or ‘kidnapping’ of her citizens which formed the kernel of the applicant’s case,” the appellant said.

Speaking to newsmen after yesterday proceedings before Justice Buba, Ngige faulted the claim that two United Kingdom Courts exonerated the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District of drug crime, insisting that the claim was not only untrue, but misleading.

Accordinf to the Senior Advocate, the claim was aimed at achieving sinister motive.

His words: “That is the misleading aspect of the whole thing. Kashamu was not tried before the British Courts. He only went through extradition proceeding and the extradition application failed based on the fact before the court.

“Now, that does not and cannot constitute a bar on further extradition proceeding or trial for drug crime in any other country or other court,” Ngige said.

FG appeals orders on Kashamu’s arrest, extradition

Kashamu Receives Ovation During Inauguration; Absent From Senate Session

The Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Buruji Kashamu, who was hailed by his colleagues while taking his oaths during the inauguration of the Eighth Senate, on Tuesday, was conspicuously absent during plenary on Wednesday.

Buruji Kashamu

Kashamu, who was recently in the news following the attempt by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency to arrest him over alleged drug related dealings in the United States, stole the show on the floor of the Senate when called upon to take his oath.

The Ogun State senator acknowledged cheers from his colleagues and spectators at the gallery as he walked slowly to the Clerk’s table, signed necessary documents, before he proceeded to shake hands with the senate president.

The ovation was loudest when Kashamu was returning to his seat and his colleagues stood up and took turn to shake hands with him.

The senator was however not at Wednesday’s inauguration of the pro-Ahmed Lawan’s senators conducted by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

Meanwhile, the NDLEA said on Wednesday that it had not given up on ensuring Kashamu’s extradition to the US to face trial for alleged drug-related offences.

The NDLEA, Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, on Wednesday said the agency had complied with the court orders in respect of the case.

Ofoyeju, however, said the agency would explore legal means to achieve its aim.

He said, “We have obeyed court orders and he (Kashamu) had been sworn in. But the case is not over. He had gone to court to seek several orders to stop the NDLEA from proceeding with his extradition but we shall explore legal steps in the pursuit of the case to a logical end.”

The agency had been at daggers drawn with the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain over a claim by the former that it received an order from the US government, demanding that he be extradited over drug- related offences.

In what it tagged ‘house arrest’, the NDLEA had drafted scores of its operatives to Kashamu’s house in Lekki, Lagos State for six days before they were withdrawn, following court orders.

A Federal High Court in Lagos, had in separate rulings, restrained the NDLEA and any other agencies in the country from unlawfully arresting and forcefully extraditing the Ijebu-born politician to the US.

Kashamu Receives Ovation During Inauguration; Absent From Senate Session

Court Quashes Extradition Proceedings, Arrest Warrant against Kashamu

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Lagos monday quashed the extradition proceedings and arrest warrant procured by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) against senator-elect for Ogun East senatorial district, Mr. Buruji Kashamu.

Buruji Kashamu

In a ruling on an application argued by Kashamu’s lawyer, Alex Izion (SAN), Justice Abang quashed the extradition proceedings and arrest warrant issued by another judge of the Federal High Court.

This is as another judge of the Federal High Court in Lagos, Justice Ibrahim Buba, yesterday restrained the NDLEA from arresting and arraigning Kashamu in furtherance of the extradition charges.

Kashamu, who is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), monday filed another suit before Justice Buba seeking an order to nullify the provisional warrant of arrest obtained by the NDLEA against him.

In a motion on notice filed before the court, Kashamu had equally asked the court to nullify the NDLEA’s application to commence extradition proceedings against him in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS /479/2015 at a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kashamu’s lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, had informed Justice Buba that despite an existing order, the NDLEA was still making arrangements to extradite his client.

He urged the court to grant the motion in the interest of justice.

In his submission, NDLEA’s lawyer, O. Ichakpa, maintained that the agency had not taken any step to undermine the processes before the court.

Justice Buba, after listening to the arguments of both lawyers, ordered that the NDLEA should not in the face of subsisting judgment, orders of the court and processes filed and pending, enforce or put to effect the warrant of arrest dated April 25, 2015.

The court also restrained the agency from arraigning Kashamu on the extradition process filed on April 28, 2015.

According to Justice Buba, the restraining orders were necessary so as not to get conflicting orders while cases are pending and judgments or orders are also subsisting, including committal proceedings.

The matter was subsequently adjourned till June 19 for hearing.

Justice  Buba, had on June 4, also fixed June 19 for hearing of the contempt proceedings filed by Kashamu against the Attorney General of the Federation and the NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Glade.

Kashamu had dragged the duo to court in the aftermath of the plan by them to extradite him to the United States to answer to drug related charges.

In the application, it was argued that the AGF and the NDLEA chairman had through their actions, violated the existing court order which barred them from taking steps at arresting him for an extradition to the US.

Court Quashes Extradition Proceedings, Arrest Warrant against Kashamu

NDLEA moves to set aside court ruling on Kashamu

Lagos—The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday made moves to set aside the ruling of a Federal High court restraining it from arresting the Ogun East Senator-elect, Prince Buruji Kashamu describing the facts presented to the court in its absence as erroneous.

Buruji Kashamu

The agency, in a statement by its head of Public Affairs, Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed that it had filed a motion on notice pursuant to order 26 rules 2(1), order 32 rule 1 and 4 (1) of the Fderal High Court civil procedure rules 2009, section 36 of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

The statement read in part: “The agency is seeking an order setting aside the Ruling and or Order(s) of this court delivered by Honourable Justice I. N. Buba on the 26th day of May 2015 having been made on erroneous facts in the absence of the Applicant/2nd Respondent. NDLEA is also seeking an order striking out the originating processes being incompetent as it relates to the 2nd Respondent.

“The grounds of the application are that there is a valid request for Extradition of the Respondent/Applicant to the United States of America to face trial over conspiracy and unlawful importation of heroin into the United States of America.

There is a valid and subsisting Provisional Warrant of Arrest for the arrest of the Respondent/Applicant. The suit in which the Court was moved to make an Order directing the Applicant/2nd Respondent to withdraw from the residence of the Respondent/Applicant was heard in contravention of the right of the Applicant/2nd Respondent to be heard in in the matter as it was never given the opportunity to defend himself.”

 

NDLEA moves to set aside court ruling on Kashamu

Suspend Action On Kashamu’s Extradition - Court to NDLEA

A Federal High Court in Lagos has asked the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to suspend all actions on the move to extradite the Ogun East Senator-elect, Mr. Buruji Kashamu, to the United States to face trial on alleged drug trafficking offences.

Buruji Kashamu

The presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, while adjourning hearing in all pending applications on the subject matter till June 19, said on Thursday that status quo must be maintained till all the applications were decided one way or the other.

Pending before Buba is the committal suit filed by Kashamu against the Attorney General of the Federation and the Chairman of the NDLEA, citing them for contempt of court.

In response, the NDLEA is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter.

Besides, the anti-narcotic agency is seeking the reversal of the court order of May 26 which directed it to withdraw more than 50 of his operatives that had laid siege to Kashamu’s house.

At the resumed proceedings on Thursday where the AGF, NDLEA chairman and Kashamu himself were expected before the court, the NDLEA lawyer, A. M. Sunday, said the agency had yet to be served with the originating processes in Kashamu’s committal suit.

Sunday said all that the agency received was the court’s order of May 26 directing it to withdraw its armed operatives from Kashamu’s Lagos residence.

The lawyer, however, said the NDLEA had filed a motion seeking to set aside the court order, adding that the jurisdiction of the court was also being challenged.

However, Kashamu’s lawyer, Mr. R.A. Oluyede, in opposition to the NDLEA, said the agency’s motion had no relevance, saying it had been overtaken by events.

Oluyede urged the judge to make additional orders to prevent NDLEA from overreaching the court.

He urged the court to nullify any warrant of arrest that might have been obtained through any source in an attempt to extradite Kashamu.

He urged the court to declare the fresh move by the respondents to commence extradition proceedings against him in the face of the existing judgment of the court restraining them from doing so as illegal.

He also sought a court order directing the Inspector General of Police to provide security for Kashamu to prevent the respondents from making any attempt on his life.

Buba, in a bench ruling, declined granting any of the newly sought orders but ordered all the parties not to take any action capable of undermining the processes before the court.

The judge said he would have to adjourn further hearing to allow the service of court papers on all the parties.

He held, “The matter before the court is that of committal and challenge to jurisdiction. I shall adjourn for the hearing of the applications on its merits.”

Suspend Action On Kashamu’s Extradition - Court to NDLEA

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

Why we withdrew from Kashamu’s house – NDLEA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said it pulled out its operatives from the house of Senator-elect, Mr. Buruji Kashamu, in compliance with a court order.

NDLEA said it withdrew from the Lekki, Lagos home of the Peoples Democratic Party stalwart “when it officially received a copy of the order from the court on Thursday, May 28, 2015.”

In a statement by NDLEA’s Head, Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, on Friday,  the agency added that Kashamu’s counsel had signed an undertaking to produce him in court for hearing.

The anti-narcotic agency stated, “This is not the end of the case as the NDLEA has filed a formal extradition process at the Federal High Court. The Agency is following the due process of law and will ensure that national interest is balanced against the constitutional rights of Mr. Kashamu.

“The mission of the NDLEA is not and has never been to abduct him, but to engage the extradition process. The agency is taking necessary steps to ensure that Mr. Kashamu will be available to stand trial on extradition charges as required by law.

“To this end, the NDLEA has a provisional warrant of arrest on him as well as a formal request for his extradition. The honourable thing for him to do is to submit to the due process of the law as pledged.

“The NDLEA wishes to reiterate that it would comply with all court orders and not forcefully abduct and take him to the United States for trial.”

The agency noted that the court had not asked the NDLEA from embarking on an extradition process against the Semator-elect of Ogun East Senatorial District.

“The court held that the respondents cannot be restrained perpetually from arresting the applicant and that they were only restrained from arresting him without a warrant of arrest and for forcibly abducting and taking him from Nigeria without recourse to the due process of law as enshrined in the Extradition Act,” it said.

Why we withdrew from Kashamu’s house – NDLEA

Finally, NDLEA Vacates Kashamu"s House after six days

LAGOS—The National Drug  Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, last night vacated the siege mounted on the Lekki, Lagos residence of senator-elect, Prince Buruji Kashamu, after six days. They left at exactly 7:45pm, after first tightening the siege that for six days saw the Ogun state born chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP restricted to the toilet in his bedroom.

Buruji Kashamu

His media aide, Mr Austin Oniyokor, confirmed the departure of the NDLEA operatives saying that Kashamu was presently attending to his health and would speak to the media after recovering.

Expressing thanks to the judiciary for the intervention that led to the development, Oniyokor said: “We also salute the judiciary for once again rising to the occasion and proving yet that it is truly the last hope of the common man and the oppressed. We are grateful that the judiciary has again affirmed Prince Buruji Kashamu’s innocence of the charges against him, thus turning for good what was meant for evil.

“Our appreciation also goes to the media, civil society groups, student bodies and all well-meaning Nigerians for their prayers, support and solidarity during the period.

“After attending to his health, Prince Kashamu will address the media, Nigerians and the whole world on his ordeal and the intricate web of political intrigues behind the wicked attempt to abduct him for no just cause using the instrument and machinery of state.”

Earlier in the day, the operatives tightened the siege with the addition of more operatives to the operation around the residence. The development quickly brought the harsh rebuke of Kashamu’s lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede who disclosed that the six day incarceration had stated taking its toll on the health of his client who he said has made complaints of health problems ranging from blood circulation blockage, palpitation and general body pains.

Earlier in the day, the standoff between the politician and the NDLEA drew protests from women groups and students of tertiary institutions in Ogun State who lamented what they called the infringement of Kashamu’s rights by the NDLEA.

 

Finally, NDLEA Vacates Kashamu"s House after six days

Vacate Kashamu"s resience - Court orders NDLEA

Justice Ibrahim Buba has ordered the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) officials to vacate the residence of Prince Buruji Kashamu in Lekki, Lagos.

Buruji Kashamu

The court also directed the police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that the order is enforced.

Giving the order on Tuesday, Justice Buba warned NDLEA Chairman and AGF to ensure the statusquo is maintained.

The Senator-elect on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State has been swimming in crisis since he challenged the former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo.

Kashamu is a financier of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest. The United States said he has a pending case of heroine trafficking dating back to 1994 to answer, but he insists he is innocent.

Following the extradition request from the U.S., the NDLEA operatives stormed Kashamu’s residence in Lekki, Lagos on Saturday.

The siege was still on as at yesterday.

The NDLEA, in a statement yesterday by its spokesman Mitchel Ofoyeju, said the Ogun-East Senator-elect, “failed to appear in court from his house where he is being closely monitored by operatives of the NDLEA.”

He added that “the Agency is working hard to ensure that he submits himself to the due process of the law. His house remained cordoned by anti-narcotic officers pending his appearance in court.

“The extradition move by the NDLEA for Kashamu to answer drug trafficking charges is legal.

“The Agency has not violated his rights and will continue to work within the confines of the law.

“He has been assured that due process of the law shall be adhered to at every stage.

“The NDLEA is the appropriate government Agency to implement his extradition request and will diligently pursue the processes to a logical conclusion.

“It is expected that Kashamu will willingly submit himself to the laws of the country under which he seeks to serve as a senator.”

Justice Buba yesterday also ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke and Chairman NDLEA Ahmadu Giade to appear before him today to explain why they should not be held for contempt for ‘invading’ Kashamu’s residence.

In an in-chamber ruling, the court declined to entertain the ex-parte motion and ordered Kashamu to put Adoke and Giade on notice to appear before him in order to be heard.

He ruled that the order was in view of the urgent nature of the matter and in light of subsisting judgment and court orders.

“In view of the urgent nature of this matter, and in light of subsisting judgment and court orders, instead of hearing an ex-parte application, the respondents are ordered to be put on notice to appear in court on May 26, at 12pm in order to be heard.

“And in view of subsisting judgment and court orders,  time be and is hereby abridged for the respondents to appear. This order and the motion on notice shall be served unfailingly,” the order stated.

In a Motion on Notice for committal brought pursuant to order 35 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2009, Oluyede had prayed the court to rule that the respondents are in criminal contempt of court for obstructing justice by the willful violation of a court judgment dated January 6, 2014.

He prayed the court to declare that the invasion, destruction of property, harassment, humiliation, arrest and detention of Kashamu by NDLEA at the instance of the AGF since Saturday, as well as any extradition proceedings commenced thereupon, constitute criminal contempt in view of the said judgment and another pending ruling before the Federal High Court.

Oluyede prayed a declaration that the actions of the respondents are illegal, null and void, praying the court for an order directing the immediate and unconditional release of Kashamu within two hours of the pronouncement, just as he urged the court for a restraining order against the respondents from further intimidating, harassing, laying siege or confiscating any of Kashamu’s properties.

He accused Giade of plot to preempt the judicial process by deploying about 50 fully armed NDLEA officials, pursuant to the verbal instruction of the AGF,  to invade Kashamu’s home around 4am on May 23.

The lawyer claimed that the Senator-elect’s residence was burgled by the men who put him under house arrest.

“They broke his gate, doors, windows to gain entrance. Destroyed properties, harassed infant children and his pregnant wife,  humiliated the applicant at gun point, arrested and detained him in his house after attempts to forcibly ship him off to the US truncated by media exposure”.

Oluyede said his client decided to file a committal charge after NDLEA failed to bring Kashamu in court as they earlier promised.

He accused the agency of not having any arrest warrant, just as he claimed that the NDLEA had filed no application before any court before unlawfully invading his client’s home.

“Extradition procedure requires submission of the request to the court for the court to go through and exercise its discretion whether or not, the person being requested should be extradited. That is what will give us confidence that lawful duty is being carried out.

“In this case, no warrant was shown.  They don’t have any warrant for arrest. Go to the registry now, you will see a gentleman from NDLEA filing application for a provisional warrant of arrest. That is to show you that they do not have any extradition order,” said Oluyede.

Kashamu’s supporters invaded the court premises protesting the siege to his residence.

Some of the inscriptions include: “UK court discharged him; Illegal extradition; Kashamu’s life is being threatened; We want due process followed; It is high time we stopped illegality; Kashamu’s arrest is a slap to human rights.”

The protesters who said they came from Ijebu-Igbo decried the ‘persecution’ of their Senator-elect,  calling on the authorities to leave him alone.

Former Ogun State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Secretary, Yemi Akinwunmi who spoke on behalf of the protesters said Kashamu brightened their hope and saved the party from complete death in the state.

“In the process of liberating us, making us relevant in the politics of Nigeria, he stepped on one or two toes. They are the ones now on him, not America.”

Vacate Kashamu"s resience - Court orders NDLEA

Kashamu shuns court case, NDLEA maintains siege

Businessman and Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu, on Monday failed to appear in court in the suit opposing the alleged plot to abduct him and extradite him to the United States to face a contentious drug-related charges.

Kashamu has locked himself up in his Lekki Phase 1, Lagos mansion since Saturday when operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency stormed his house to arrest him to fulfill a request by the US government for the extradition of the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain to face charges in connection with a 1994 drug case.

The NDLEA, in a statement on Monday by its Head, Public Affairs, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the house of the businessman and politician, who recently won an election to the Senate to represent Ogun East, had been condoned off until his appearance in court.

Ofoyeju said, “The agency is working hard to ensure that he submits himself to the due process of the law. His house remains cordoned off by anti-narcotic officers pending his appearance in court.

“The extradition move by the NDLEA for Kashamu to answer drug trafficking charges is legal. The agency has not violated his rights and will continue to work within the confines of the law. He has been assured that due process of the law shall be adhered to at every stage.

“NDLEA is the appropriate government agency to implement his extradition request and will diligently pursue the processes to a logical conclusion.

“It is expected that Kashamu will willingly submit himself to the laws of the country under which he seeks to serve as a Senator.”

Kashamu shuns court case, NDLEA maintains siege