The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Buruji Kashamu

  • 2019 Election ambition tears Ekiti lawmakers apart

     

    …assembly member denies ‘secret’ meeting with Kashamu

     

     

    Although the 2019 general election is less than three years away, ambition to contest the next poll has turned some members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly against one another in a bid to reposition themselves for higher offices.

     

    Chairman, House Committee on Information, Gboyega Aribisogan, has accused a colleague of blackmail with the intent to turn him against Governor Ayo Fayose ahead of the 2019 polls.

     

    Addressing a news conference in Ado Ekiti, the state capital on Friday, Aribisogan who represents Ikole Constituency 1 denies holding secret meeting with Senator Buruji Kashamu and other politicians perceived to be enemies of Fayose in a bid to bring down his administration.

     

    He claimed that the particular lawmaker is stoking the fire of crisis of confidence between him and Fayose to gain advantage to win the House of Representatives seat for Oye/Ikole Federal Constituency.

     

    Aribisogan said he had no reason to gang up against Fayose having been part of those who worked hard to ensure his victory at the 2014 governorship poll accusing those peddling the rumour of alleged disloyalty are working to divide the Assembly.

     

    The Deputy Speaker, Olusegun Adewumi  narrowly escaped impeachment while Aribisogan also escaped suspension from the Assembly earlier in the week by their colleagues for allegedly hobnobbing with Kashamu and some personalities perceived as enemies of Fayose within and outside the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

     

    Others that  were alleged to be holding meetings with include former PDP Secretary in Ekiti, Dr. Tope Aluko; presidential aide, Babafemi Ojudu and Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana.

     

    Aribisogan said: “Let me put on record here that except the time I accompanied Governor Fayose to Buruji in 2014 and recently when I met him in company of the governor, I never had any personal dealing with him.

     

    “For Falana and Ojudu, I  have been a major critic of their roles in Ekiti project and they can never in their wildest imaginations invite me to any clandestine  meeting and they are all alive to corroborate or deny the claims.

     

    “I am a steadfast and major critical stakeholder in Fayose’s emergence as Governor of Ekiti right from the primaries to the governmental level.

     

    “I have repeatedly spoken about my absolute belief and commitment in the government of Fayose and its policies, even at most difficult times and I can’t be a sellout at this time when the battle is presumed to have been won.

     

    “On the other side, a particular lawmaker in the house was plotting to undermine Ikole constituency in the 2019 elections and he was behind the gossip, blackmail and intrigues in the House to cause a serious rift between me and Mr Governor.

     

    “I hereby want to reiterate and reaffirm my commitment and loyalty to His Excellency, Governor Fayose and the government of Ekiti State.”

     

  • Kashamu faults AGF’s directive to EFCC against his firm

    Kashamu faults AGF’s directive to EFCC against his firm

    Senator Buruji Kashamu has reacted to the directive by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) for the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC) to investigate the contractual agreement between his company, Kasmal International Services limited and the Nigerian posta Service (NIPOST).

    Kashamu, in a reaction by his lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede in Abuja Wednesday, argued that the directive amounted to a clear criminal contempt of the Federal High Court which had on the 24th of February 2016 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/100/2016 made an order restraining the AGF and the EFCC from “from interfering in a purely contractual relationship between Kasmal and NIPOST.”

    He noted that the Federal High Court in its judgments in Suits Nos. FHC/L/CS/1462/2013 (between Kasmal and the 22 Deposit Money Banks – DMBs) and FHC/L/CS/1710/2013 (between KASMAL and the Central Bank  of Nigeria – CBN) had interpreted the Stamp Duties Act LFN 2004 and the NIPOST Act LFN 2004 and found that the Stamp Duties Act made provision for the exemption of certain documents (including receipts for teller deposits and electronic transfers by Deposit Money Banks for sums of 1000 Naira and above) from payment of stamp duties if the documents have affixed to them 50 Naira postage stamps bought from the NIPOST.

    “The two actions were brought by KASMAL as public Interest actions to ensure that the banks remitted the 50 Naira to NIPOST after NIPOST had appointed KASMAL as its agent.

    “NIPOST as a statutory agency with exclusive authority to produce postage stamps in Nigeria has always operated through agents and pays them up to 20% as commission from collections made for sale of postal services including sale of postage stamps. KASMAL’s position is no different from this and it was agreed that if KASMAL could open up this stream of revenue from the DMBs for use of NIPOST postage stamps to denote stamp duties on receipts for teller and electronic transfers, KASMAL would be entitled to N7.50 from every N50 it collected.

    “Although we have no doubt that right minded observers will see the injustice in the move by the AGF’s office to deprive KASMAL of the fruits of its efforts, we believe that the directive by the AGF is mischievous and calculated to bring the judicial process into disrepute. We will bring this unlawful abuse of office to the attention of the court at its next sitting on this matter on the 17th of April 2016,” he said.

     

  • AGF orders probe of Kashamu’s firm

    AGF orders probe of Kashamu’s firm

    The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the involvement of Kasmal International Services Limited believed to be owned by Senator Buruji Kashamu a stamp duties deal with the Federal Government.

    Specifically, the AGF requested the EFCC to establish among others, the legitimacy of the purported consultancy agreement between Kasmal and the Nigerian Postal Service (NPS), for the firm to collect stamp duty from commercial banks and other financial institutions in the country.

    The AGF, who noted Kasmal, acting on the said agreement,  purport to waive all arrears of remittances owned the Federal Government by banks and other financial Institutions from 2004 till the commencement of CBN Circular No CBN/GEN/DMB/02/006 of 15th January, 2015.

    AGF’s media aide, Salihu Isah said, in a statement Wednesday, that the minister has given the EFCC three weeks to conclude the investigation and report to him.

    The AGF’s directive to the EFCC, it was learnt, was contained in a three-page letter dated March, 4, 2016 and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Saidu Diri.

    Part of the letter reads: “The Chairman of Kasmal International Services Limited is one Prince B. Kashamu, who is a Senator representing Ogun State in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “The Acting Post Master General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Postal Service is one Mr. Enoch Ade Ogun.

    “You may also need to interview Ibrahim Mori Baba, the former Post Master General of the Nigerian Postal Service and B.S Yakubu, Secretary/Legal Adviser of the Nigerian Postal Service respectively in the course of your investigation,” it said.

    Isah quoted the AGF as observing that the Nigerian Postal Service is an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria established by virtue of Section 1 (1) & 2 (a) (b) of the Nigerian Postal Service Act, Cap. N127, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    He added that a total of eleven documents were attached to the letter by the AGF to the EFCC including the Nigerian Postal Service reference No. NIP/LSD/LSA/04/VOL.11/25 dated 30th October 2013; Nigerian Postal Service reference No. NIP/PMG/019/VOL. X dated 06th November, 2013; Nigerian Postal Service reference No. NIP/PMG/019/VOL/XVIII dated 4th, December, 2015; as well as Kasmal International Services Limited letter dated January 16, 2016 to the Post Master General.

    Other documents are Kasmal Group letter dated 28th October, 2013; Kasmal International Services Limited dated 21st January, 2016 to Post Master General; Central Bank of Nigeria memo CBN/GEN/DMB/02/006 dated the 15th January, 2016; Nigerian Postal Service reference No. NIP/PMG/113/VOL.1/57 dated 2nd July, 2014 to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Nigeria Postal Service reference No. NIP/PMG/019/VOL/XVIII dated 4th December, 2015; Nigeria Postal Service reference No. NIP/PMG/019/VOL.X dated 6th November, 2013 a well as Nigerian Postal Service reference No.NIP/PMG/181/VOL.11 dated 1st February, 2016 to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice.

    Another document is titled, ‘Request for the Investigation of the purported consultancy agreement for collection of Stamp Duty from banking and other financial Institutions (BOFI) between Nigeria Postal Service and Kasmal International Services Limited (also known as Kasmal Group) which led Kasmal Group to Purport to Waive all Arrears of Remittances from 2004 till the Commencement of CBN Circular No. CBN/GEN/DMB/02/006 of 15th January, 2015 which Nigeria Postal Service was entitled under Section 89 of the Stamp Duties Act LFN 2004 to Collect as well as the N20 Penalty on Every Such Unpaid Remittance of N50 as Prescribed by the said Stamp Duties Act’.

    “In the Nigerian Postal Service reference No. NIP/PMG/181/VOL.11 dated 1st February 2016, the Acting Post Master General of Nigerian Postal Service confessed that there is no formal memorandum of understanding/contract MOU agreement between NIPOST and Messrs Kasmal International Services Limited stating any term of engagement yet Kasmal International Services Limited proceeded to grant a waiver to all Commercial Banks and Financial Institutions by letter dated 22nd December, 2015 all arrears of remittances from 2004 till 1st January 2016 which NIPOST was entitled under Section 89 of the  Stamp Duties Act to collect as well as the 20 Naira penalty on every such unpaid remittances of 50 Naira as prescribed by the Stamp Duties Act.

    “See also Kasmal International Services Limited letter dated 21st January 2016 to the Post Master General/CEO, Nigerian Postal Service, Abuja. The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation respectfully request that your Commission investigate this matter and submit a Report to him within three weeks of the receipt of this letter”, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation directed on behalf of the AGF.

    It was learnt that the Special Assistant to the AGF on Prosecution, Okoi Obono-Obla had, in an internal memo dated 17th March, 2016 advised the minister to take over the representation of the Nigerian Postal Service in the Appeal pending in the Court of Appeal.

    Obono-Obla was also said to have requested the AGF “to take over the representation of the Nigerian Postal Service in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/100/2016 filed by the Kasmal International Services Limited against the Nigerian Postal Service and the Honourable Attorney General and other Federal Government agencies in the Federal High Court, Abuja.”

  • N20b assets suit: Kashamu, NDLEA get new date

    N20b assets suit: Kashamu, NDLEA get new date

    Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos will on November 10 ‎rule on whether to disqualify himself from adjudicating a suit filed by Senator Buruji Kashamu.

    Kashamu is praying the court to restrain the Federal Government from seizing his property worth N20 billion over alleged drug trafficking offences.

    He sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) from taking possession of his property.

    Justice Buba had earlier restrained the NDLEA from arresting or extraditing Kashamu to the United States, where he is allegedly wanted.

    But NDLEA asked the judge to hands off the case.‎

    It said since Justice Buba, on June 23, reaffirmed a May 27 order by Justice Okon Abang of the same court stopping Kashamu’s arrest, he might not be fair in the case.

    The NDLEA lawyer, Mr. J. N. Sunday, who asked the court to vacate the restraining order, claimed the injunction amounted to preventing federal agencies from discharging their constitutional duties.

    NDLEA asked the judge to withdraw from the case on the basis that he might not reach a different conclusion in the fresh case having ruled in Kashamu’s favour before.

    According to the agency, the case file should be returned to the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta, for reassignment to another judge.

    Meanwhile, the AGF, represented by Mr. Oyin Koleosho filed a preliminary objection to the action.

    It said the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit, which it described as a “tortuous act.” that does not fall within Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution.

    Kashamu said he learnt of moves by NDLEA and AGF to seize his property, including a 24-flat housing estate at Egbe and several hectares of land on Lekki Peninsula, Lagos.

    According to him, he acquired the property, which he said is worth N20billion, by dint of hard work and through his legitimate business.

    He said contrary to NDLEA’s alleged claim, the property were not proceeds of drug trafficking.

    Kashamu’s lawyer, Mr. Ajibola Oluyede, said his client’s rights to own property as guaranteed by sections 43 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution would be breached if the respondents were not perpetually restrained.

    Due to Justice Buba’s absence on Tuesday, a new date was fixed by his registrars for the ruling.

  • Court sanctions NDLEA for stalling Kashamu’s suit

    Court sanctions NDLEA for stalling Kashamu’s suit

    Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday sanctioned the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for delaying hearing in a suit brought by Senator Buruji Kashamu.

    The Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District is seeking to restrain the Federal Government from seizing his assets.

    NDLEA, a respondent in the action, had asked the judge to disqualify himself from adjudicating the suit.

    The agency also prayed the court to discharge an order restraining it from arresting Kashamu.

    The suit was adjourned for hearing on Wednesday, but NDLEA’s lawyer, Mr. J.N. Sunday, sought an adjournment to enable him regularise his processes.

    He said there were “blunders” in the agency’s application before the court that needed to be corrected.

    Kashamu’s lawyer, Ifeoma Esom, who stood in for Ajibola Oluyede, said they were ready to go on with the case as the suit was ripe for hearing.

    Sunday, however, said the agency did not intend to delay the case by seeking an adjournment.

    “The applicant has already tied our hands with the order. We have no reason to delay this matter,” he said.

    Justice Buba awarded N20,000 cost against NDLEA, and adjourned to enable it rectify the “blunders in their processes.”

    The judge awarded the cost in favour of Kashamu without being prompted, as Esom did not ask for compensation for inconveniences occasioned by the adjournment.

    Justice Buba also pointed out that NDLEA appeared to be asking for two contradictory reliefs.

     

  • Kashamu seeks to restrain FG from seizing property

    Kashamu seeks to restrain FG from seizing property

    Senator Buruji Kashamu has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to restrain the Federal Government from seizing his property worth N20billion over drug trafficking allegations.

    In a fresh application, he sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Attorney-General of the Federation from taking possession of his property.

    The application is before Justice Ibrahim Buba, who had restrained the NDLEA from arresting or extraditing Kashamu to the United States, where he is allegedly wanted.

    But the NDLEA has asked the judge to disqualify himself from adjudicating the suit.

    The agency said since Justice Buba, on June 23, reaffirmed a May 27 order by Justice Okon Abang of the same court stopping Kashamu’s arrest, he may not be fair to all parties in the present case.

    The NDLEA lawyer, Mr. J. N. Sunday, claimed the injunction amounted to tying the hands of federal agencies from discharging their constitutional duties.

    The agency asked the judge to withdraw from the case on the basis that he may not reach a different conclusion in the fresh case having ruled in Kashamu’s favour previously.

    “This court had earlier heard and determined suit No. FHC/L/CS/763/2015. The facts or issues and the parties in the suit are not only the same but are intricately linked and intertwined with this suit.

    “Having earlier made findings of facts, it will be difficult, if not impossible for this court to divorce itself from its findings in suit No. FHC/L/CS/763/2015, while considering and writing judgment in this present suit,” Sunday claimed.

    According to NDLEA, the case file should be returned to the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta, for re-assignment to another judge.

    Meanwhile, the AGF, represented by Mr. Oyin Koleosho has filed a preliminary objection to the action.

    It said the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit, which it described as a “tortuous act” that does not fall within Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution.

    According to the AGF, the judge had no jurisdiction to entertain matters bordering on landed property.

     

  • NDLEA applies for Buruji’s extradition to US

    NDLEA applies for Buruji’s extradition to US

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said on Tuesday that it has served notice of application for extradition of Senator – elect, Kashamu Buruji, to United States.

    The spokesman of NDLEA, Mr Mitchel Ofoyeju, said the notice of the suit was officially served on Kashamu Monday.

    He said the application was secured through the Chief Judge, Federal High Court, Abuja, in a suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/479/2015.

    Ofoyeju said:” In an application made to the Chief Judge, Federal High Court, Abuja, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/479/2015, the office of the Attorney General of the Federation is seeking the extradition of Buruji Kashamu to answer alleged drug trafficking charges.

    “This is in line with the Extradition Act CAP, E25 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (as modified by Extradition Act Modification Order, 2014). The notice of the suit was officially served on Kashamu by the NDLEA on June 1, 2015.

    Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has commended the NDLEA for the bold step taken in the extradition case involving Kashamu.

    The letter of commendation which was signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes,   Jagaba Adams Jagaba, said that the agency’s action will go a long way in building the confidence of the international community in the country.

  • NDLEA maintains presence at Kashamu’s home

    NDLEA maintains presence at Kashamu’s home

    • Protesters, agency barricade neighbourhood
    Despite an order of court directing them to vacate, officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday continued the siege on the Lekki, Lagos home of Senator-elect,  Prince Buruji Kashamu.
    Over 40 armed personnel including hooded men were sighted at different streets leading to Kashamu’s home located at Ladipo Omotesho Cole, by Marwa in Lekki Phase one, depriving residents and passersby their right of way. 
    The fierce looking personnel who turned back reporters despite being presented with identity cards, said they were following orders to restrict movement in and out of the busy street. 
    There was also an altercation between the officials and a man who claimed he was a resident in the neighbourhood. 
    The angry man was seen arguing with the personnel for refusing him to take the normal route to his apartment, despite pointing at his house, which was not far from the barricade.
    Meanwhile, scores of Kashumu’s loyalists barricaded the other end of the road, protesting what they term “the disregard for ruke of law by the enforcement agency”.
    Clad in black and chanting in solidarity for the Senator-elect, the crowd most of whom said they were from Ogun State, decried the continuous siege on Kashamu’s residence despite court ruling and judgment ordering the agency to vacate.
    Their protest further compounded the discomfort of residents and motorists as they completely grounded the only part of the road unmanned by NDLEA officials.
    Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “NDLEA respect the rule of law, Nigeria is not a Banana Republic; release Buruji Kashamu; vacate Kashamu’s house….”, some of the protesters said they were unhappy because the house arrest of the Senator-elect has negatively affected the well being of their families. 
    According to one Foluke Salami, who claimed she was a widow and coordinator of persons living with HIV/AIDS in Ijebu North, they usually received money, drugs and other food items from Kashamu every Thursday.
    She said she was greatly disappointed at the way the law enforcement agency was going about the whole issue, adding that they have not been able to gain access into his residence.
    “Today is Thursday and we are supposed to collect money for our children. Every Thursday we come from Ogun state to collect money from Kashamu. 
    “He takes care of widows and those living with HIV. Since 2005 when I knew my status as person living with HIV, Kashamu has been there for us. I am the coordinator of those living with HIV. He is accessible. He does not stop us from entering the house anytime we come but today, these people did not even allow us close to the house.
    “We are therefore using this medium to protest the continued seige of the NDLEA in his premises, after a court order barring them from staying,” she said.
    At the time The Nation visited (around 2pm), the protesters were threatening to continue their blockage of the other side of the route unless the NDLEA personnel leave their “man”.
    Kashamu’s lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede who was sighted driving out, disclosed that the operatives denied him access into the premises.
    He told reporters that the over 12 officials stationed inside his client’s compound told him he could not be allowed in.
    He further disclosed that Kashamu’s relatives have also been denied access into the compound,  whereas, all those who live with him have been put in one room and closely watched.
    According to Oluyede, Kashamu has only had liquid since Saturday, May 23, and has not been allowed to see his doctor despite complains of heart palpitation and other health related issues.
    “We do not even know whether the masked men in my client’s bedroom are Nigerians or foreigners. We do not know who they are because they don’t even talk.
    “They record all my conversation with my client on video and audio. And they follow us around with their guns.
    “In the night, they would go on the roof. The family members are traumatised and are trying to adjust and live a semi normal life. All of them are sleeping in one room at night while the masked men watch over them.
    “The Police have been served but I don’t know why they have not intervened to enforce the order of court. The next step is that we are trying to reach the Inpsector-General of Police to find out why he has refused to intervene.
    “I heard him say he had not been served the order of the court. But we have his stamp of receipt that they have received it. The bailiff of the court and my chamber have served them. What then is stopping them?
    “What they (NDLEA) are doing is illegal. What the chairman of NDLEA is doing is illegal. NDLEA is a statutory office and he can’t refuse to obey the court. If he says he will not obey the order of the court, it is like saying he does not recognise the office of the NDLEA.
    “This is a criminal contempt of court. Why is the Police watching? If someone is saying that the order of the court is inconsequential such person should be arrested immediately. 
    “What about the DSS, are they not worried that this could lead to a coup de etat? It is the police that will enforce the court warrant of arrest, not the NDLEA. 
    “Extradition is not the business of the NDLEA but that of the court. If the court says vacate, it should be respected. The court said come to court with the warrant of arrest, only the Attorney-General came but the NDLEA did not. They drove the bailiff away thrice…
    “We are taking legal steps because we cannot carry arms and wage war against them. We do not have control of arms and cannot dislodge them. We are trying to put pressure on the IGP to enforce the court order,” said Oluyede.
  • Kashamu fails to appear in court

    Kashamu fails to appear in court

    Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu, who has been placed under house arrest over a drug related crime, failed to appear in court on Monday

    Kashamu is being closely monitored by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in his Lekki, Lagos, home.

    The Head, Public Affairs of NDLEA, Mr.  Ofoyeju Mitchell, said, the agency is working hard to ensure that the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain submits himself to the due process of the law.

    According to Mitchell, the extradition move initiated by the NDLEA for Kashamu to answer drug trafficking charges in the United States, 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,” the NDLEA spokesman said.

     

  • FG moves to extradite Buruji Kashamu to US

    FG moves to extradite Buruji Kashamu to US

    The process for the extradition to the USA of the once influential Southwest leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Buruji Kashamu, 56, got underway yesterday.

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) placed him under house arrest at his Oladipo Omotoso Street, Lekki Phase 1 residence in Lagos preparatory to his extradition.

    The agency said the Senator-elect for Ogun East will appear in court tomorrow to perfect the process.

    A team of NDLEA operatives stormed Kashamu’s home as early as 5am to ensure that he did not escape.

    His security guards were said to have first been disarmed by the NDLEA team.

    Chairman of the agency, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, said in a terse statement through Michel Ofoyeju that “the Agency has commenced extradition procedures against Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu in line with the laws of country.

    “He has been in contact with his attorneys and will appear in court on Monday.”

    Kashamu and his aides immediately contacted media houses about the development.

    His media aide, Austin Oniyokor, said the NDLEA action ”is a confirmation of the alleged plot to illegally abduct him in spite of the pending suit against this illegality.

    “As a matter of fact, the court has ordered parties in the matter including the NDLEA to maintain status quo until judgment is delivered on Wednesday 27th May 2015.

    “We have confirmed that they do not have a warrant of arrest, just as the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has said that it did not give any order to carry out this illegality.

    “We have confirmed that this illegality is being designed and executed by Chief Bode George whose wife is the Director General of the NDLEA, all in a bid to score cheap political points.

    “We urge all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on NDLEA, Chief George and his wife to toe the path of the rule of law and follow due process.

    “Nigeria is not a Banana republic! The United States being the bastion of democracy, the rule of law and due process should not lend itself to this kind of illegality.”

    At about midday yesterday, the online publication, Sahara Reporters, said a distraught Kashamu in a telephone conversation threatened to kill himself rather than surrender to what he views as an unjust attempt to extradite him to the US.

    But the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, said the move against Kasumu was not extra-judicial.

    He said a formal request had been made by the American government for his extradition and same had been passed to the appropriate legal body.

    He stressed that due process would be pursued with respect to the extradition.

    Buruji, who was acclaimed as a friend of the Presidency, was said to have contacted the seat of power as soon as the NDLEA operatives swooped on his residence, to save him.

    His Save My Soul message was reportedly turned down with officials insisting that the law must be allowed to take its course.

    A presidency source said: “Government was not out to abduct Buruji and smuggle him to the United States. Rather, the NDLEA operatives went to effect his arrest in order to take him to court on Monday for the hearing of an extradition application against him.

    “The application for the extradition cannot be heard by any court without a formal arraignment of the suspect in court.

    “This procedure was adopted when a similar application was filed against a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, Ehi Okoyomon, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    “A formal request for the extradition of Buruji was sent by the US Government to the Minister of Justice and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN). There was nothing the government can do than to ask the NDLEA to comply.”

    A security source said Buruji was tracked down after three-week surveillance.

    He added: “The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan also wanted to demonstrate that it had not been shielding Buruji from extradition as being alleged.

    “If you look at the case, Buruji has been on and off the court on this extradition by filing frivolous applications in court. And recently, he lost at a Federal High Court paving the way for the manhunt for him.

    “Buruji is equally a difficult suspect whose movement is always shrouded in secrecy. But after three-week surveillance, we got intelligence report and decided to act faster before he slips away again.”

    A third source said government decided to arrest Buruji because it does not want the administration of the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari to take the credit.

    “Jonathan’s government had been slow on extradition process because Buruji used to be a financier of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West.

    “This slowness has tainted the image of the government. So, Jonathan’s administration chose to act at the late hours to prove that it can arrest Buruji. It is a kind of face-saving move.

     

    There was palpable anxiety in his Ijebu political base yesterday as news of his house arrest spread.

    Investigation by The Nation revealed that while his supporters were worried that the arrest of their benefactor was bad for them politically and economically, others were not bothered.

    Although, nobody was willing to have his name in print but those who spoke said a lot of people benefited from his large heart through his Omo Ilu Foundation.

    Kashamu said he was not the one being wanted in the United state for criminal related matter, adding that a sitting court in the United Kingdom had equally acquitted him of any wrongdoing.