25th May, 2015
Akin Kuponiyi/Judiciary correspondent
Kashamu himself was not brought to court, despite the statement by the NDLEA at the weekend that it would procure a proper arrest warrant and hurl the burly senator-elect before a Federal High Court on Monday.
Rather, it was lawyers to Kashamu who seized the initiative, asking the court to order the NDLEA lift the siege on the Lagos home of the man wanted in the United States over a 21 year old drug-running indictment.
Kashamu’s lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede also wanted the NDLEA chairman and Attorney-general of the Federation, committed for contempt since there are pending cases on the matter already before the courts.
His prayer was said to have been heard in Justice Ibrahim Buba’s chambers.
After emerging from Justice Ibrahim Buba’s chamber where the application for committal to prison was allegedly heard, Oluyede told pressmen that the court has summoned the Attorney General of the Federation and the Chairman of NDLEA Ahmadu Giade to appear Tuesday at 12noon.
Mr Oluyede further told the pressmen that by 4 a.m on Saturday morning Buruji’s house was invaded by NDLEA opratives at Lekki. His gate was broken and his doors and windows were vandalized in the presence of his pregnant wife.
He said Kashamu’s children were terrified and by the time he got there by 6 a.m he demanded for warrant of arrest from the NDLEA operatives.
He said they were unable to produce any.
According to him, the leader of the team told him that they were acting on instruction from above based on the fact that United States Government has made a formal request of extradition of Buruji Kashamu.
Mr Oluyede contended that the NDLEA action violated extradition law between Nigeria and USA.
Mr Oluyede contended that there was a case pending before the court where the court ordered the parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit based on the fact that there have been allegations that there were plans to abduct the man and take him to USA without following due process.
It was after the confrontation that the NDLEA promised to bring him to court today and based on this promise, his lawyers including Mr Alex Iziyon who flew in from Abuja were in court.
But the NDLEA failed to produce Buruji Kashamu.
Instead, the NDLEA director of prosecution was seen in court trying to obtain a provisional warrant of arrest.