Federal agency says Kashamu still faces extradition

dimeji akinloye

May 30, 2015 10:26 AM

NDLEA operatives had vacated the Ogun State senator-elect's Lekki residence on Thursday, May 28 following a court order.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said the extradition effort against newly elected Senator, Buruji Kashamu of Ogun State is still on despite the withdrawal of its agents from his Lekki home.

For about five days, NDLEA operatives were stationed at Kashamu’s Lekki residence, placing him under house arrest following a claimed extradition request from the United States over drug related indictment.

The court had ordered NDLEA officers to vacate the Ogun senator's residence three days after they invaded the area, but they remained there until about two days later.

The agency said it withdrew from Kashamu’s house after it officially received a copy of the court order on Thursday May 28, 2015.

In a statement signed by the agency’s spokesperson, Mitchell Ofoyeju, on Friday, May 29, NDLEA said Kashamu’s lawyer signed an undertaking to produce him in court for hearing.

It said, “this is not the end of the case as the NDLEA has filed a formal extradition process at the Federal High Court. The agency is following the due process of law and will ensure that national interest is balanced against the constitutional rights of Mr. Kashamu.

“The mission of the NDLEA is not and has never been to abduct him, but to engage the extradition process. The agency is taking necessary steps to ensure that Mr. Kashamu is available to stand trial as required by law.

“To this end, the NDLEA has a provisional warrant of arrest on him as well as a formal request for his extradition. The honourable thing for him to do is to submit to the due process of the law as pledged.

“The NDLEA wishes to reiterate that it will comply with all court orders and not forcefully abduct and take him to the United States for trial.”

The anti-graft agency added that the court did not prevent it from embarking on an extradition process against Kashamu.

dimeji akinloye