Latest On Kashamu’s Extradition: Court To Rule On Another Contempt Charge Today

Akin Kuponiyi
 

Buruji Kashamu: continues legal battle to stall extradition case

A Federal High Court,sitting in Lagos south west Nigeria has, reserved ruling in a committal proceeding filed by the embattled Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial district, Prince Buruji Kashamu, against the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Ahmodu Giade, till Tuesday

The presiding Judge, Ibrahim Buba fixed the date after counsels representing both Prince Kashamu and the respondents, AGF and NDLEA, have argued and adopted their written addresses.

Prior, to the fixing of Monday’s ruling, Justice Buba had dismissed four oral applications made by AGF in respect of the suit.‬

The judge,  precisely dismissed the oral applications made by AGF counsel, Mr. Emeka Ngige, SAN, in respect of the appeal filed at the Appeal Court against the ruling of the court and seeking to stay proceedings  of the court.‬
‪The judge said there was no notice of appeal before the court, and he could not by oral application defer proceedings in the committal charge.‬
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The judge also said he has not either been informed that the order made by Justice Okon Abang on May 26, has been set aside, or that there was an application to stay proceeding in the suit.‬

Justice Buba also refused application for adjournment made by AGF, in order to file a further affidavit to respond to the application filed by Kashamu’s counsel.‬
 
During Monday’s proceeding, counsel to AGF, Mr. Emeka Ngige, while responding to the committal suit filed by Prince Kashamu said the suit was an attempt to mislead the court by the applicant.‬

‪He said Justice Abang had on June 8, 2015, ruled on the same suit filed before Justice Buba-led court, and that the application that Kashamu moved was similarly moved before Justice Abang, and that such was granted.‬

In the committal proceeding filed before the court, Kashamu through his lawyer, Mr. Ajibola Oluyede, is seeking a court declaration that both AGF and NDLEA chairman have committed criminal contempt of the court by reasons of steps taken.

The counsel alleged that both the AGF and NDLEA have obstructed the administration of justice evidenced by the wilful violation of the judgment of the court on January 6, 2014, in suit number FHC/L/CS/49/2014, with the aim of preempting the judgment of the court in suit number FHC/L/CS/508/2015, which was a response to the extradition of Kashamu made by the United States of America, USA.

The US government wanted Kashamu to answer charges of running a narcotics ring that involved US citizens on American soil. Kashamu claimed that a British judge had exonerated him on the case before.

Kashamu is also seeking a court declaration that the invasion, destruction of properties, harassment, humiliation, arrest, and his detention by NDLEA at the instance of AGF from Saturday, May 23, 2015, and any extradition proceeding commenced thereupon undermined the integrity of the judicial process invoked in suit number FHC/L/CS/49/2010 and FHC/L/CS/508/2015, and the judicial power exercised by the court’s judgment of January 6, 2014, and order of the court of April 4, 2015, in both action respectively.

He said the actions of the government agents done purportedly pursuant to a request by the United States government for his extradition, constitute a criminal contempt of the court, and are null and void.‬

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