Court orders NDLEA to vacate Kashamu’s residence
The law enforcement agents had been laying siege on the residence of Kashamu since Saturday.Justice Ibrahim Buba’s order followed an oral application by Kashamu’s lawyer, Alex Iziyon (SAN) who prayed the court to direct the NDLEA officers to vacate his client’s house.He argued that the action of the agency was against the order of Justice […]
The law enforcement agents had been laying siege on the residence of Kashamu since Saturday.
Justice Ibrahim Buba’s order followed an oral application by Kashamu’s lawyer, Alex Iziyon (SAN) who prayed the court to direct the NDLEA officers to vacate his client’s house.
He argued that the action of the agency was against the order of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Lagos in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by his client against his extradition.
In the suit, Justice Abang had directed that the status quo be maintained pending the final determination of the suit. The court has fixed verdict on the matter for today, May 27.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ahmadu Giade, yesterday said the agency was yet to receive any court order from Buruji Kashamu restraining operatives of the agency from arresting him.
He described as diversionary and inconsequential, reports of a court order directing its men to vacate Kashamu’s residence and requesting both the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Bello Adoke and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade to appear in court.
Giade said that the agency did not believe that any court would issue an order preventing a government agency from performing its statutory responsibility in a lawful manner.
Giade, through the agency’s Head of Public Affairs, in a statement, said: “The agency has therefore refused to be distracted and will continue to maintain presence at the residence. It is advisable that Kashamu respects the law by submitting himself to the due process of the law.
“The NDLEA wishes to reiterate that his rights like that of other citizens shall be respected and the due process of law followed in this case. The Agency is prepared to further increase her public rating and goodwill in the areas of suspect handling, respect for human rights and the rule of law. We are prepared to explore all legal means in handling this case to a logical conclusion. The Nigerian government has received a formal request from the US government for the extradition of Prince Buriji Kashamu. It also has a provisional warrant of arrest on him contrary to claims by his attorneys”.