Buruji Kashamu Refuses To Appear in Court, NDLEA Maintains Siege

Nigerian Businessman and Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu, on Monday refused to appear in court in the suit opposing the alleged plot to abduct him and extradite him to the United States to face a contentious drug-related charges.

Buruji Kashamu has locked himself up in his Lekki Phase 1, Lagos state mansion since Saturday when operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency stormed his house to arrest him to fulfill a request by the United States government for the extradition of the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain to face charges in connection with a 1994 drug case.

The National Drug, Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in a statement on Monday by its Head, Public Affairs, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the house of the businessman and politician, who recently won an election to the Senate to represent Ogun East, had been condoned off until his appearance in court.

Ofoyeju said, “The agency is working hard to ensure that he submits himself to the due process of the law. His house remains cordoned off by anti-narcotic officers pending his appearance in court.

“The extradition move by the NDLEA for Kashamu to answer drug trafficking charges is legal. The agency has not violated his rights and will continue to work within the confines of the law. He has been assured that due process of the law shall be adhered to at every stage.

“NDLEA is the appropriate government agency to implement his extradition request and will diligently pursue the processes to a logical conclusion.

“It is expected that Kashamu will willingly submit himself to the laws of the country under which he seeks to serve as a Senator.”