Kashamu’s extradition not over – NDLEA

The Punch - Nigeria

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said even though it withdrew its operatives from the house of senator-elect, Mr. Buruji Kashamu, in compliance with a court order, the extradition effort against the senator is not over.
The operatives of the agency had on Saturday, May 23, 2015 besieged Kasamu’s home in Lekki area of Lagos, placing the newly elected senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District under house arrest.
The agency said it only withdrew from Kashamu’s house when it officially received a copy of the order from the court on Thursday May 28, 2015.
According to a statement signed by NDLEA spokesperson, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, on Friday, Kashamu’s attorney signed an undertaking to produce him in court for hearing.
The NDLEA 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 NDLEA said the court had not prevented it from embarking on an extradition process against Kashamu.