This was sequel to a petition forwarded to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions by Kashamu’s lawyer, Mr. Ajibola Oluyede, over plans to abduct the embattled senator by the agency.
Oluyede, who had alleged that plan to abduct Kashamu to the U.S. for trial has reached advanced stage, explained that the plan, coded ‘rendition plot’, is always used by the American government against fugitives or terrorists.
Maintaining that Kashamu cannot be said to be any of the above, Oluyede further alleged that the person behind the plot is the immediate past chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade.
According to Oluyede, Giade had failed in achieving such illegal action against Kashamu as the NDLEA boss through court pronouncements, but now wants to achieve it as Special Assistant (SA) on Narcotics to the AGF.
“We have it on good authority that the former chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, who is now a special assistant on Narcotics to the Attorney General of the Federation, is hell bent on achieving what he failed to illegally achieve against our client, Buruji Kashamu.
“Specifically, whistle blowers within the agency have informed us that abduction plan against our client is being perfected. The reason why we are here before you is to call the agency to order, since competent court of jurisdiction had ruled against such harassment and plots in May last year.
“The NDLEA, under Giade, on the 23rd of May last year invaded the Lagos residence of Senator Buruji Kashamu on the same phantom allegation, but asked to vacate the place by the Federal High Court in Lagos on the 27th of the same month, with ruling that: ‘Nigeria had no business operating with foreign government against Kashamu on matters that had been adjudicated upon years back in favour of the senator’,” he explained.
While describing the said whistle blowers within NDLEA as internal conspirators, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, however, noted that it is wrong for the agency to be carrying out any of its operations without regard for the rule of law since such alleged plots had been ruled against in the court of law.
Na’Allah added that based on facts on ground, the Senate reasoned along with the petitioner by frowning against a situation where a public servant would refuse to obey a pronouncement of court.
He, therefore, submitted that any purported plot against Kashamu by the NDLEA should be discarded for now, in view of the legal issue between Kashamu and the Federal Government.
Na’Allah also suggested that the AGF be summoned for explanations.
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“Our best option is to invite the Attorney General to come and explain the circumstances surrounding this new plot to abduct Senator Kashamu,” he suggested.
The committee’s chairman, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, ruled over the suggestion by telling the NDLEA officials present to maintain status quo, pending the completion of thorough investigation into the allegation.
“We have heard his case, and we have asked questions. Having heard from you, the Solicitor to Kashamu, you may now leave and be rest assured that the Committee has heard you. And we will hear from the other correspondents, and we will come up with a position on this issue.
“Meanwhile, I think it is obvious that when we make our investigation, we will put down our report to the entire Senate. We have to invite the parties involved, and not in representative capacity to answer to the allegations.
“This allegation concerns Giade, and whatever the Senate will arrive at, he is equally going to be affected by it. So, it is only fair that we hear from him.
“This matter is before the Senate, and we think status quo should remain until we look at the issues in the petition and come up with a position,” Anyanwu said.
The NDLEA chairman, Abdallah, through his representative, asked to be excused from the investigation since the matter is before the Court of Appeal.
Similarly, the AGF and former NDLEA boss (Mrs. Roli Bode George), also asked for more time to appear before the Committee.