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Tag: Kashamu

  • AGF, NDLEA urge court to dismiss Kashamu’s suit

    AGF, NDLEA urge court to dismiss Kashamu’s suit

    The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and the National Drug Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to dismiss a fundamental rights suit filed by Senator Buruji Kashamu.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba, who had refused to disqualify himself from the case after being accused of likely bias by NDLEA, has adjourned to November 18 for judgment.

    Kashamu is praying the court to restrain the Federal Government from seizing his properties for alleged drug trafficking.

    He sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining NDLEA and the AGF from taking possession of his belongings.

    Arguing the application on Wednesday, the senator’s lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, said Kashamu had been exonerated from charges of heroine importation into the United States.

    He said two United Kingdom Courts also held that Kashamu has no case to answer, and that one of the courts held that he was mistaken for another person.

    Ajibola said it was on the basis of the same dismissed charges that the Federal Government was making moves to seize his client’s properties.

    “The Federal High Court nullified the warrant of arrest. The respondents are still making moves to seize his properties over the same issues over which he has been exonerated and for which the orders were made.

    “This action is not pursuing a right in properties. It is seeking to protect the right to own properties. We urge your Lordship to grant this application,” Oluyede said.

    But counsel for the AGF, Oyin Koleoso, urged the court to dismiss the suit because Kashamu had no evidence to back his claims.

    “Of all the properties the applicant listed, there is nothing to link them with the applicant. No title documents. I urge the court to dismiss the application,” he said.

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

     

     

  • Judge refuses to disqualify self in Kashamu’s case

    Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday refused 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 over drug trafficking allegations.

    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.

    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 trial.‎ 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 agency 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 once.

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

    Refusing the application, Justice Buba said he would not shy away from deciding a case merely because of an unsubstantiated accusation of bias.‎ He dismissed the application for lacking in merit.

    Justice Buba said: “This application is part of the game of hide and seek between the parties before me who have been in and out of court. Some of the matters are on appeal.

    “The applicant failed woefully to point at any decision this court reached or point of law that it reached and is likely to reach in another one.”

    The judge said if any party is dissatisfied with any judgment, the right thing to do was to appeal, and not to accuse a judge of bias.

    “The Federal High Court is one. The judges are one. The applicant cannot pick and choose judges for their matters.

    “In sum, this court will not set aside its order made pending the hearing of the fundamental rights application, which is sui generis (unique.”

  • N20b suit: Kashamu, NDLEA get new date

    N20b suit: Kashamu, NDLEA get new date

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

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

    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 earlier restrained the NDLEA from arresting or extraditing Kashamu to the United States of America, 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.

    Its 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 once ruled in Kashamu’s favour.

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

    But 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 did 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 the Lekki Peninsula, Lagos.

    According to him, he acquired the property, which he said was worth N20 billion, by dint of hard work and through his legitimate business.

    He said contrary to NDLEA’s 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 yesterday, a new date was fixed by his registrars for the ruling.

     

  • Kashamu in fresh trouble

    Kashamu in fresh trouble

    The election of Mr. Buruji Kashamu as the Senator representing Ogun East senatorial district of Ogun State was last Friday set aside by the National and S tate Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal which ordered a rerun within 90 days. Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, examines the possibility of the embattled politician retaining his seat

    The decision of the National and state Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, to set aside the election Prince Buruji Kashamu as the senator representing Ogun East senatorial district of the state and reported plans by aggrieved chieftains and factions of his troubled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to work against his continued stay in the upper chamber by supporting his opponent at the rerun election, may be creating fresh troubles for the Ijebu Igbo strongman.

    Sources told The Nation that anxiety gripped Buruji’s political family, the Omo-Ilu group, as well as leaders of the PDP in Ogun State When the National and state Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal, on Friday, set aside the election of Kashamu. The three man Tribunal headed by Justice Ebiowei Tobi in delivering the judgement this afternoon, also ordered a re – run election in 110 of the polling units in Ogun East Senatorial district, comprising of nine Local Governments within 90 days.

    But our correspondents also reported that there was jubilation in the camps of some PDP strongmen in the state over the nullification of the Senator’s victory. This gave early signs that Kashamu may not enjoy the support of PDP leaders like former Governor Gbenga Daniel, former Speaker Dimeji Bankole, Chief Dave Salako, and numerous othersw who had been locked in serious political battle with the Ijebu born politician, over the control of the party in the state.

    “The judgement of the tribunal jolted us. It came as a rude shock and we are still studying the development. But what is more frightening is the way some of our party leaders are openly rejoicing over the loss of the party at the tribunal. This is creating serious anxiety ahead of the ordered re-run election. It would be a great disservice to the party if they work against us at the election,” a supporter of the politician said.

    More headaches

    The Tribunal, also on Friday morning, added to the headaches of  Kashamu and his associates when it nullified the election of a member of the House of Representatives,  Segun Adekoya, and three state assembly members who are all members of Kashamu’s Omo-Ilu political family. To make matters worse, all four affected lawmakers represents constituencies within Ogun East senatorial district where Kashamu is now fighting the political battle of his life.

    Adekoya represented the Peoples Democratic Party in the March 28 election. The three- man panel headed by Justice Ebiowei Tobi while delivering the judgement on Friday, also ordered a re – run election in 122  polling units in the disputed Ijebu North, Ijebu East and Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency. The petition challenging Adekoya’s victory in the election was filed by the All Progressives Congress. The court held that the election in the affected areas were marred by irregularities and malpractices.

    Adekoya, popularly called “Attacker” within political circles, is believed to be the political point man of embattled Senator Kashamu. With him also having to fight for his own political survival during the ordered re-run election, many people are of the opinion that Kashamu, who had lost the support of a couple of his close associate after the last senatorial election, may be left bare and prone to defeat.

    “It is bad that Kashamu’s election was annulled. But it is worse that Attacker’s election was also annulled. With the two of them having to struggle for survival at the same time, the Omo-Ilu Foundation, which they both belong to may be over-streched. Moreover, Adekoya is one of Kashamu’s most trusted allies. It is left to be seen how they will prosecute the rerun election successfully without one another,” another source said.

    And with three other allies of the Senator also ordered to vacate their seats in the state assembly and face rerun polls, supporters of the embattled business man turned politician are worried that the pressure may just be too much to bear for Omo Ilu political family. The PDP lost seats in Ijebu North, Ijebu East and Ijebu Ode, all within Kashamu’s senatorial district.

    Honourables Bowale Solaja, representing Ijebu North constituency 1, Oyenuga Adejuwon representing Ijebu East and Olawale Alausa of Ijebu Ode state consituency, all allies of Kashamu and members of the Omo Ilu Foundation, lost their seats to verdicts by the Tribunal. According to findings by The Nation, there is much anxiety within the PDP in the state over these multiple electoral misfortune.

    “Naturallu, we are worried. You mean we shouldn’t be worried? No, we are worried because it is unfortunate that we have to face so much rerun elections. Talk about the resources. Talk about the energy and time. Also talk about the stress that we will have to put our supporters through again. We really have reasons to be worried. But I can assure you that we will be victorious at the end,” an official of the PDP in the state told The Nation.

    New strategy against Kashamu

    The Petition challenging Kashamu’s victory in the last March 28 National Assembly elections, was filed by candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Dapo Abiodun, while the court held that the elections in the affected areas were marred by irregularities and non – compliance with electoral laws as evidenced in the observed discrepancies in entries in the documents of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abiodun’s supporters said he won the election fair and square and accused Kashamu and the PDP of rigging the polls.

    Consequently, the APC is very optimistic that it will win the ordered rerun election. According to Honourable Biyi Adeleye, a member of the state assembly representing Remo North, the rerun election is an opportunity to show the world that the PDP is not on ground in Ogun state. Explaining how the APC will clinch victory for Abiodun at the election, Adeleye said new strategies will be employed to prosecute the electoral contest this time.

    “This is an opportunity to show the world that the PDP is not on ground in Ogun state. However, we have also learnt a lot from the past experience and I can assure you that new strategies will be employed to win the rerun election. With the the outcome of the Tribunal, you don’t need anybody to tell you how PDP managed its claim to victory in the last election in some parts of Ogun East. Now, we have the chance to show them the door and we will do that,” he said.

    As part of the plot to stop Kashamu’s return to the senate, The Nation learnt that some chieftains of the PDP amy have resolved to support Abiodun at the rerun election. The chieftains, many of whom have been kept out of the party by Kashamu’s Omo Ilu group, are seeking to pay the embattled Senator back in his own coins at the rerun election.

    According to reliable sources, Kashamu will also find it difficult getting most of the traditional rulers who supported him at the last election, to help him this time.

    “This is because the governorship election have been decided and Amosun is back for a second term. Very few traditional ruler will want tot work against a sitting Governor. The last time, many of the Obas that supported Kashamu were hoping Amosun will lose. Now that he is back and better, they may not want to offend him by working against his party,” our source added.

    Kashamu’s unending legal battle and brushes with law enforcement agencies may also work agains him at the polls. Many of his constituents are feeling the district will do better with a less troubled senator representing it at the national assembly. There are also those who want the area to re-align with the ruling party in the state.

    “This is a tough one for Kashamu. His many travails may work against him at the rerun election. Many people feel unending issues with law enforcement agencies are too many distractions for a senator and as such would prefer someone with less trouble. And don’t also forget that the gubernatorial contest is now concluded and many people may want to return the area to the ruling party,” a source said.

  • Kashamu, Rep, five PDP state legislators lose seats in Ogun

    Kashamu, Rep, five PDP state legislators lose seats in Ogun

    Ekwunife, Gbajabiamila retain seats I’ll fight to the end, controversial politician vows as he heads to Appeal Court

    THE National and State Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta yesterday ruled that the emergence of controversial politician, Chief Buruji Kashamu, as winner of the March 28 Senatorial Election in Ogun East was substantially fraudulent.

    Consequently, the tribunal nullified the poll result and ordered a re-run election in 110 polling units in the senatorial district within 90 days.

    Kashamu vowed to go on appeal immediately.

    The tribunal also nullified the election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives member from Ijebu North/Ijebu East /Ogun Waterside, Prince Segun Adekoya, and those of state legislators from Ijebu Ode, Ipokia, Ijebu North 1, Egbado North 11 and Ijebu East for fraud.

    However, corresponding tribunals in Anambra and Lagos states upheld the elections of Senator Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central) and the Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr.Femi Gbajabiamila (Surulere)

    Delivering judgment in the petition filed by Prince Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against Kashamu, the chairman of the Ogun Tribunal, Justice Ebiowei Tobi, said election in the 110 units were marred by irregularities and non-compliance with the electoral laws.

    He cited discrepancies in entries in the documents of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The Tribunal ruled that only 146, 533 of the votes cast were valid while 37,008 were invalidated.

    This leaves Kashamu with 75, 856 votes and Dapo Abiodun (petitioner) with 70, 677 votes.

    Votes returned in favour of the two politicians in the rerun will be added to the figures ascribed to them by the court yesterday.

    The Judge noted that the Tribunal would find it “very uncomfortable” should it decide to cancel the entire result of Ogun East Senatorial election because of mere 37, 008 invalid votes, hence the order for a fresh election in some polling units.

    He said though Kashamu led the Petitioner by a total of 5, 179 votes, that figure is not substantial enough to warrant his being declared winner of the election.

    The Tribunal also ordered a re-run in 122 polling units in Ijebu North, Ijebu East and Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency within 90 days in the petition against Rep. Segun Adekoya.

    The court held that the petitioner, Biyi Ismail of the APC had proved that the election was marred by irregularities and malpractices in the affected units.

    Earlier, the tribunal nullified the election of five PDP members of the State Assembly from Ijebu Ode, Ipokia, Ijebu North 1, Egbado North 11 and Iebu East,but upheld the election of four others.

    The Tribunal held that allegations of “substantial irregularities” and non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) in some of the polling units of the affected areas, were established by the petitioners.

    Kashamu’s lawyer, Mrs Ifeoma Esom, said the Senator and other PDP candidates whose elections were nullified by the Tribunal would go to the Court of Appeal.

    Speaking with reporters shortly after the court verdict, Mrs Esom said her clients were “disatisfied with the judgement.”

    Kashamu himself said in his reaction that it was erroneous to say that the tribunal nullified his election.

    He said: “I’m still leading with 5,179 votes. I am left with 75,856 votes while Dapo Abiodun has 70,677 votes. How does that amount to the nullification of my election?

    “What the tribunal said is that there would be a rerun in those polling units. Until the rerun is done, I remain the Senator representing Ogun East.”

    Ekwunife floors Umeh

    The Anambra State National and State Assemblies Election Petition Tribunal upheld the election of Senator Uche Ekwunife of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State.

    It dismissed the petition filed by Chief Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    The three-man election petition tribunal, led by Justice Nayai Aganaba, resolved all the issues prayed by Umeh and APGA in favour of Ekwunife.

    Similarly, the tribunal resolved in favour of Hon. Anayo Nnebe of PDP of the House of Representatives, against Chief Godson Ezenagu of APGA in the Awka North and South federal constituency.

    But the tribunal declared Ferdinand Nwankwo of APGA as winner of the Anaocha/ Njikoka/ Dunukofia federal constituency election. He took over from Emeka Ezeh of the PDP, who was proclaimed winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the election of March 28, 2015.

    Umeh’s counsel, Obele Chuka Obele, said yetserday that his client would proceed to the Court of Appeal to seek the reversal of the tribunal’s verdict.

    Addressing reporters yesterday after the judgment, Senator Ekwunife described the judgment as a true reflection of what happened during the election, adding that APGA was only too desperate.”

    She said that Senator Chris Ngige, who was nominated as a minister by President Muhammadu Buhari, would be given accelerated passage in the Senate.

    She described Ngige’s appointment as well deserving.

    Tribunal upholds Gbajabiamila’s election victory

    The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ikeja, yesterday upheld the victory of the Majority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

    The tribunal declared that Gbajabiamila of the All Progressives Congress (APC) validly won the March 28, 2015 election for Surulere Federal Constituency I in Lagos State.

    The three-man tribunal, led by Justice C.U. Anwuka, resolved all issues raised in favour of the respondent and dismissed the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Tony Ashikodi, for failing to prove the allegations of electoral fraud.

    Gbajabiamila was declared winner of the poll by the INEC after securing 21,715 votes, while Ashikodi polled 14,550 votes.

    Ashikodi had sought to nullify Gbajabiamila’s victory by alleging that the election was characterised by irregularities and a breach of the guidelines set out by INEC.

    The petitioner had also prayed the tribunal for an order to conduct a fresh election, arguing that Gbajabiamila did not score the highest number of valid votes as declared by INEC.

    Delivering judgment, the chairman of the tribunal, Justice C. U. Anwuka dismissed the petitions and resolved all the issues raised in favour of the respondents.

    Justice Anwuka said the petitioner had failed to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt, adding that the PDP candidate failed to substantiate his allegations of ballot box snatching and falsification of result sheets by not calling witnesses to justify the claims.

    The Tribunal also faulted Ashikodi’s claim of multiple irregularities adding that the petitioner admitted in his evidence-in-chief that he was not present at the collation centre.

    Anwuka further said that the petitioner did not link any document tendered with his allegation of irregularities.

     Osun Tribunal upholds APC Rep’s election

    The Osun state election petition tribunal sitting in Osogbo, the state capital, yesterday upheld the victory of Hon Yinka Ajayi, representing Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin federal constituency in the National Assembly.

    The three-man judge, led by Justice Kwajaffa A. G, dismissed the petition of Hon Kayode Oduoye of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for lack of merit.

    Hon. Oduoye was challenging the declaration of Ajayi in the National Assembly elections by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He alleged that Ajayi and his party, All Progressives Congress (APC), connived with the third respondent (INEC) to rig the election.

    The petitioner also alleged that the election was characterised by irregularities, urging the tribunal to declare it null and void.

    However, the tribunal in its ruling dismissed the evidence of the petitioner’s witnesses as hearsay, stressing that the petitioner failed to prove his petition beyond reasonable doubt.

    Reacting to the judgment, lead-counsel to the petitioner, Mr Henry Odunayo, said he would explore the next line of action in seeking justice.

    But counsel to the respondents, Mr Wale Afolabi, Ibrahim Lawal and Olorunfemi Olalekan, lauded the tribunal for objective and careful evaluation of witnesses in the petition.

    Corrupt judges belong to hell, says panel chair

    The chairman of National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Justice Ebiowei Tobi, yesterday rained curses on anyone who attempts to buy justice in the petitions before him.

    In his opening address preparatory to the delivery of the tribunal’s judgments in a dozen of petitions before the court, said he and his colleagues had come to the state for the assignment with integrity and would also leave at the conclusion of the task with their integrity intact .

    He therefore invoked the wrath of God against anyone, including himself and the two other members of the panel, who took money in a bid to influence justice in all the petitions before them, saying corrupt judges should be sentenced to a location near satan in hell.

    The Tribunal chairman noted that some people are given to making brisk business and money out of election cases by trying to influence justice.

    He lamented that judges in Nigeria have found themselves in a precarious situation where a party that wins in court goes about hailing them while the losers also go about casting aspersions.

    According to him, this situation may not change soon “as long as the Nigerian society remains the way it is.”

     

  • Ogun tribunal sacks Kashamu

    Ogun tribunal sacks Kashamu

    …Orders fresh election in affected areas

    The National and state Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Friday nullified the election of the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial district, Prince Buruji Kashamu,over non-compliance with electoral law.

    The three- man panel headed by Justice Ebiowei Tobi while delivering judgement, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election in 110  polling units in the Senatorial district within 90 days.

    The petition challenging Kashamu’s victory in the March 28 National Assembly elections, was filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Dapo Abiodun.

    Kashamu represented the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election.

     

  • Kashamu seeks to stop Fed Govt from seizing N20b property

    Kashamu seeks to stop Fed Govt from seizing N20b property

    •NDLEA asks judge to hands off trial

    Senator Buruji Kashamu has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to restrain the Federal Government from seizing his property worth N20 billion for alleged 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 of America, where he is allegedly wanted.

    But NDLEA has asked the judge to hands off the trial.

    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 might not be fair in the case.

    Its lawyer, Mr. J. N. Sunday, 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 once.

    “This court 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.

    [ad id=”403656″]According to NDLEA, 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.

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

    Describing the suit as an abuse of court processes, Kolesoho urged Justice Buba to strike it out for failing to disclose any reasonable cause of action against the AGF.

    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.

    He said the property were worth over N20 billion.

    According to him, he acquired the property 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.

    Justice Buba had, on June 29, granted an interim order restraining the respondents and their agents from interfering with Kashamu’s right to own property either in Nigeria or anywhere else, pending determination of the suit.

    Upholding Justice Abang’s restraining order in June, Justice Buba held: ”There should be no overzealous conduct from either of the parties. Government agencies must abide by the rule of law to avoid anarchy.

    “They (AGF and NDLEA chairman) should be of good behaviour until their appeal is determined

    “No matter how aggrieved, they should abide by the order of court until there is a counter order from a superior court.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, orders of Justice Abang are still subsisting and must be complied with.”

    The judge adjourned the fresh suit to September 30.

     

  • Wood merchant charged with defrauding Kashamu

    Wood merchant charged with defrauding Kashamu

    A wood merchant Mohammed Isiaka from Gboloko in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State has been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding Senator Buruji Kashamu of N400,000.

    Isiaka, according to the charge, obtained N400,000 from Senator Kashamu by giving false information to the police that former President Olusegun Obasanjo paid one Tony Kabaka N25 million to eliminate Kashamu.

    The charge reads: “The accused person gave the false information to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone II Onikan Lagos on July 25 at Onikan, a Lagos Magisterial District, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 93 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

    “That Isiaka, on the same date, time and place in Lagos Magisterial District, time and place in Lagos Magisterial District, did obtain from one Senator Buruji Kashamu the sum of N400, 000 with the pretence, that he had given information to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police knowing same to be false.”

    Magistrate O. Kusanu granted the accused N800, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum and evidence of three-year tax payment.

    Kusanu adjourned the case till October 14.

    The accused, who claims that he has a National Diploma in Accounting from Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, is said to be into wood business shuttling between Kogi and Benin.

    According to the police, the AIG instructed the Zonal Special Anti-Robbery (ZSARS) to investigate the matter.

    Investigation revealed that Isiaka lied to obtain money from Kashamu.

    The police said Isiaka confessed that he collected N200,000 from Kashamu the first time he gave him the information and got another N200,000 later.

     

  • Court decides on Kashamu’s suit July 1

    Court decides on Kashamu’s suit July 1

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed July 1 for ruling on whether or not he could proceed with the extradition proceedings against a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Buruji Kashamu.

    The judge chose the date yesterday after listening to arguments from Muslim Hassan (representing the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Ajibola Oluyede (for Kashamu) on the issue.

    At the commencement of proceedings yesterday, Hassan noted Kashamu’s absence in court and drew the judge’s attention to the development and sought the issuance of a warrant for his arrest.

    He argued that extradition proceedings, being a criminal one requires the presence of the respondent, against whom a charge was pending in the United States.

    Hassan contended that the court could not take any step in the case until Kashamu was present.

    “This is a criminal case. We urge that a warrant of arrest be issued by virtue of Section 6 of the Extradition,” Hassan said.

    He faulted the argument by Ajibola that the proceedings before the court was no longer necessary in view of two decisions by Juatices Okon Abang and Ibrahim Buba of the Lagos division of the court nullifying the extradition proceedings.

    He insisted that the judges in Lagos lacked the powers to nullify proceedings before their brother judge when they do not have supervisory jurisdiction over the court in Abuja. He argued that the orders by the Lagos division were far reaching and should be set aside.

    Hassan noted that the cases on which the Lagos judges gave their decisions were in relation to Kashamu’s allegation that there were plans to abduct him and transfer him abroad illegally. He said the orders by the Lagos judges were on Kashamu’s claim of abduction and illegal deportation.

    Hassan said the extradition proceedings was a legal way of transferring an individual wanted abroad for alleged criminal offences.

    He urged the court to set aside the orders made in respect of the extradition proceedings pending in Abuja by Buba and Abang, which Oluyede tendered yesterday.

    “It is wrong for Justice Abang to nullify a process not before him, which proceedings have not commenced here. I urge the court to set siade the orders,” Hassan said.

    Oluyede, while tendering copies of the decisions by the Lagos orders, stressed the aspect where the judges nullified the extradition proceedings and any other steps to extradite Kashamu in relation to the request by the United States government.

    He argued that the “current action has been extinguished by the decision of this court as per Abang J. The only thing left is for this court to decide the kind of burial to be accorded it”.

    Justice Kolawole, after listening to parties, said he needed time to consider all the documents submitted by parties before giving his ruling. He adjourned to July 1 for ruling.

  • Judge to rule on hearing of Kashamu’s extradition case

    Judge to rule on hearing of Kashamu’s extradition case

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed July 1 for ruling on whether or not he could proceed with the extradition proceedings initiated against a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Buruji Kashamu.

    The judge chose the date Thursday after listening to arguments from Muslim Hassan (representing the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Ajibola Oluyede (for Kashamu) on the issue.

    At the commencement of proceedings Thursday, Hassan noted Kashamu’s absence in court and drew the judge’s attention to the development and sought the issuance of a warrant for his arrest.

    He argued that extradition proceedings, being a criminal one requires the presence of the respondent, against whom a charge was pending in the United States.

    Hasssan contended that the court could not take any step in the case until Kashamu was present.

    “This is a criminal case. We urge that a warrant of arrest be issued by virtue of Section 6 of the Extradition,” Hassan said.

    Hassan faulted the argument by Ajibola that the proceeding before the court was no longer necessary in view of two decisions by Justices Okon Abang and Ibrahim Buba of the Lagos division of the court nullifying the extradition proceedings.

    He insisted that the judges in Lagos lacked the powers to nullify proceedings before their brother judge when they do not have supervisory jurisdiction over the court in Abuja.

    He argued that the orders by the Lagos division were far reaching and should be set aside.

    Hassan noted that the cases on which the Lagos judges gave their decisions were in relation to Kashamu’s allegation that there were plans to abduct him and transfer him abroad illegally.

    He said the orders by the Lagos judges were on Kashamu’s claim of abduction and illegal deportation.

    Hassan said the extradition proceeding was a legal way of transferring an individual wanted abroad for alleged criminal offences.

    He urged the court to set aside the orders made in respect of the extradition proceedings pending in Abuja by Buba and Abang, which Oluyede tendered Thursday.

    “It is wrong for Justice Abang to nullify a process not before him, which proceedings have not commenced here. I urge the court to set aside the orders,” Hassan said.