NDLEA serves Kashamu extradition notice

Buruji Kashamu

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said it had formally served the Senator-elect for Ogun East senatorial district, Buruji Kashamu, a notice by the United States government demanding his extradition for drug-trafficking offences.

The service was said to have been made on June 1, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/479/2015 with a copy made available to the Chief Judge, Federal High Court.

In a statement by its Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, the NDLEA said the step was taken to show its respect for the law.

It read, “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 June 1, 2015.”

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The statement further stated that members of House of Representatives, in a letter signed by the Chairman House Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes, Jagaba Jagaba, commended the development after receiving a copy of the notice.

Jagaba was quoted as saying, “This action has sounded a warning that no longer shall any Nigerian be considered to be above the law, no matter how highly placed. It equally points to the fact that no matter how long it takes, the law would catch up with all that has a case to answer. The agency has shown that it can work without discrimination.”

Kashamu’s lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, could not be reached for confirmation of the service as calls made to his number indicated it was switched off.

Kashamu’s media aide, Austin Oniyorkor, however, said the notice was not served on his boss, but was dropped in his office.

He said, “The triumphant announcement by the NDLEA that they have served Prince Kashamu with the extradition proceedings is not only laughable but false. He has not been served. Rather, a copy of the process was dropped in our office in Lagos yesterday (Monday). So, we shall deal with it in accordance with the law. In the mean time, the NDLEA should be warned to stay away because they have no role to play in the current proceedings. And if we should discover that they have usurped the functions of the Attorney-General of the Federation, we shall certainly make an issue of it.”