TheCable

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has justified its siege on the residence of Buruji Kashamu, the senator-elect of Ogun east senatorial district, vowing not to comply with the directive of the court which mandated it to vacate Kashamu’s house.

Following a suit filed by Ajibola Oloyede, counsel to Kashamu, Ibrahim Buba, a justice, directed the police to ensure that NDLEA operatives leave Kashamu’s premises.

“I am of the opinion that the justice of this case at this point demands that the men of the NDLEA numbering up to 50 or more stationed at the residence of the applicant are ordered to vacate the premises,” he ruled.

But the agency described the order as an attempt to prevent it from performing its statutory functions.

NDLEA maintained that it had received an order from the United States government to extradite Kashamu for drug-related offences and claimed to have served a warrant of arrest on him.

“NDLEA has described as diversionary and inconsequential, reports of a court order directing its men to vacate the residence of Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu, and requesting both the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Bello Adoke and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade to appear in court,” read a statement by Mitchel Ofoyeju, spokesman of the agency.

“The NDLEA does not believe that any court will issue an order preventing a government agency from performing its statutory responsibilities in a lawful manner. The Agency has therefore refused to be distracted and will continue to maintain presence at the residence. It is advisable that Kashamu respects the law by submitting himself to the due process of the law.

“We are prepared to explore all legal means in handling this case to a logical conclusion. The Nigerian Government has received a formal request from the United States government for the extradition of Prince Buriji Kashamu. It also has a provisional warrant of arrest on him contrary to claims by his attorneys.”