Kashamu vs Ndlea~Kashamu’s extradition case hearing begins June 25

Firstclass newsline learnt that Justice Gabriel Kolawole of a Federal
High Court in Abuja has fixed June 25 for hearing in the extradition
application instituted by the Federal Government against the Senator
representing Ogun-East in the National Assembly, Buruji Kashamu.
The extradition application, with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/479/2015, was
signed by the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and
Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke.
It was filed before the court on May 28, 2015.
The application was predicated on a request by the Embassy of the
United States of America seeking the Nigerian government to surrender
Kashamu to face one count of drug related charge before the United
States District Court for the Northern Illinois, Eastern Division.
An affidavit deposed to by the Assistant US Attorney for the Northern
District of Illinois, Diane MacArthur, attached to the extradition
request from the US government was said to be dated April 27, 2015.
By the US government's charge against him, Kashamu allegedly conspired
with others to intentionally import "and did import into the United
States" quantities of mixtures containing heroin between 1992 and
1995.
The offence for which Kashamu is allegedly wanted in the US is said to
contravene section 952(a) of Title 21, United States Code, and
punishable under Section 960 of the same law.
The penalty for the offence on conviction under the law, according to
the charge, is an imprisonment of not more than 10 years or a fine of
up to $10m in the case of an individual or both.
Adoke stated in the application that Kashamu, who is described by the
US government as being also known as Alhaji and Kashmal, was a subject
of a one-count Second Superseding Indictment in criminal case No. 94
CR 172, filed before the Illinois court on May 21, 1998.
The application added, "There are forfeiture allegations against
Buruji Kashamu (a.k.a Alhaji and Kashmal) pursuant to provisions of
Title 21 United States Code, Section 853, holding in Illinois
Division, within the jurisdiction of the United States of America for
the offences of:
"Count 1: Conspiracy to commit knowing and intentionally import and
did import into the United States from places outside the United
States, quantities of mixtures containing heroin, a schedule one
Narcotic drug substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code,
Section 952(a), punishable under Section 960, with a penalty on
conviction of a term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years, or a
fine of up to USD $10,000,000 in the case of an individual or both."
In a supporting affidavit to the extradition application, a state
counsel in the Central Authority Unit (International Cooperation in
Criminal Matters), Federal Ministry of Justice, Abdallah Mohammed,
highlighted exhibits attached to the extradition request from the US
government.
The exhibits, according to Mohammed, include a certified true copy of
a one-count Second Superseding Indictment in criminal case No. 94 CR
172; a CTC of arrest warrant, dated May 22, 1999 against Kashamu, and
a copy of the US laws or relevant statutes that provides for the
offences and punishment to which Kashamu was indicted.
The exhibits also include "a certified true copy of a plea agreement
entered into between the United States Attorney and defendant,
Catherine Clearly Wolters (one of Kashamu's co-suspect) pursuant to
Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure."
They also include letters and residence permits issued by The Gambian
authorities in respect of Buruji Kashamu, dated July 29, 1991 and
April 2, 1991 respectively, and a letter of notification of withdrawal
of study and request for refund addressed to the Bertitiz Language
Centre and signed by Buruji Kashamu.
Other exhibits attached to the US extradition request, according to
the state counsel, include "photograph representation identity of
Buruji Kashamu and a copy of Buruji Kashamu's Benin Republic's
international passport, issued on January 21, 1998 and expired in
January 20, 2001 with passport number 97BD10871."
They also included "arrest photograph of Buruji Kashamu; arrest
photograph of Buruji Kashamu with Catherine Wolters and arrest
photograph of Buruji Kashamu with Ellen Wolters."
Firstclassnewsline.net