TheCable

Buruji Kashamu, a senator-elect from Ogun east district, has accused Olabode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of using the national drug law enforcement agency (NDLEA) against him in order to “score cheap political points”.

George’s wife, Roli, is the director-general of the anti-narcotic agency, whose officials stormed Kasham’s residence in the Lekki area of Lagos very early on Saturday in an attempt to arrest him.

Kashamu, who had earlier filed a case in court to prevent his likely arrest, described NDLEA’s action as illegal, saying the office of the attorney-general has confirmed that there was no warrant for his arrest.

“This latest onslaught is a confirmation of the alleged plot to illegally abduct him in spite of the pending suit against this illegality,” read a statement signed by Austin Oniyokor, his media aide, on Saturday.

“As a matter of fact, the court has ordered parties in the matter, including the NDLEA, to maintain status quo until judgment is delivered on Wednesday 27 May 2015.

“We have confirmed that they do not have a warrant of arrest, just as the office of the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice has said that it did not give any order to carry out this illegality.

“We have confirmed that this illegality is being designed and executed by Chief Bode George, whose wife is the director-general of the NDLEA, all in a bid to score cheap political points.

“We urge all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on NDLEA, Chief George and his wife to toe the path of the rule of law and follow due process.

“Nigeria is not a Banana republic! The United States being the bastion of democracy, the rule of law and due process should not lend itself to this kind of illegality.”

However, Mohammed Adoke, the attorney-general, told Channels Television that the American government had sent a formal request seeking Kashamu’s extradition and same has been passed to the appropriate legal body.

NDLEA is on a mission to extradite him to the US to answer drug-related accusations proffered against him.