Kashamu ‘absent’ in court, stalls extradition
Senator-elect Buruji Kashamu, who is alleged to have bolted from the United States (US) over drug trafficking charges, has failed to show up at the federal high court, Lagos, citing lack of arrest warrant.
According to Mitchell Ofoyeju, head, public affairs division of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kashamu has failed to submit himself to the laws of a country he intends to represent at the senate.
“Senator-elect Buruji Kashamu has failed to appear in court from his house, where he is being closely monitored by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),” Ofoyeju said in a statement issued on Monday.
“The agency is working hard to ensure that he submits himself to the due process of the law. His house remains 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 enforcement agency insisted that it would pursue the extradition of the 56-year-old businessman to a logical conclusion.
“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.”
Austin Oniyokor, Kashamu’s spokesman, continues to insist that his principal would only appear in court when necessary arrest warrant is produced.
Oniyokor also confirmed that NDLEA officials had laid siege on the house of the Ogun east senator-elect.
“About six fully-armed, hooded and menacing-looking operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency are right inside his bedroom with his wife, children and other members of his immediate family,” he told AP.
The US has requested Kashamu’s extradition, with Chicago prosecutors alleging that he was the kingpin of a heroin trafficking ring in the state back in the 90s.
The NDLEA should produce an arrest warrant if it has one! The era of impunity must end soon. The NDLEA cannot be seeking to enforce a law that it is in violation of – two wrongs do not make a right.
Kashamu is a blight on our national conscience, the man is an embarrassment and his trial should be expedited, but, all should be done according to the law.