‘I’m not afraid of anything,’ Senator says

monjola sotubo

January 27, 2017 1:58 PM

Kashamu made the comment in reaction to a recent US court order which instructed security operatives to arrest him on drug charges.

Senator Buruji Kashamu

Senator Buruji Kashamu has said that he’s not afraid of being extradited because the

“It is most unfortunate that some mischievous elements are seeking to twist a suit I filed in the United States of America to stop by abduction and forcibly transportation to face trial for a case two British courts had adjudicated upon and found that it was a case of mistaken identity,” the senator said via a statement released on Thursday, January 26.

“I asked my lawyers in the US to file the suit when I got wind of an evil plot to abduct me in 2015 which later happened between the 23rd and 28th of May, 2015, until there was a judicial intervention which ordered the US officials and their local collaborators out of my Lagos residence.

“It should be noted that there is no ANY extradition proceedings against me anywhere in the world. The last one they purportedly brought after the siege to my residence was dismissed by the Federal High Court, Abuja, on the 1st of July, 2015.

“So, the wicked interpretation that the latest ruling which was based on a suit I instituted against my abduction has set the tone for my extradition is totally unfounded, vexatious and malicious.

“No fresh extradition proceedings can be brought against me. Twice, I won the extradition proceedings against me in London where I was tried at the instance of the US government and the one they brought here has been dismissed by the court, hence the case is dead. Any other purported extradition proceedings or abduction is illegal. I am not afraid of anything because I know my rights under the law,” he added.

The US Appeal Court held, on Thursday, January 27, that Kashamu could be picked up in coordination with local authorities outside the country.

The court also rejected an appeal by the Senator to prevent his arrest by US security operatives.

Kashamu has been accused of leading a heroin trafficking ring which has become the subject of hit TV show “Orange is the New Black.”

About 12 people have pleaded guilty in the case, including Piper Kerman, whose memoir was adapted for the show.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had attempted to arrest Kashamu for extradition in May 2015 but failed after he refused to leave his home for the extradition hearing.

A Federal High Court in Lagos eventually stopped the NDLEA from taking further action to extradite Kashamu.

ALSO READ: NDLEA trying to abduct me – Kashamu alleges

Kashamu is now the lawmaker representing the Ogun East Senatorial District.

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