Ruling in Kashamu’s case for Nov 18

Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court has fixed November 18 for ruling in a suit bordering on fundamental right filed by Buruji Kashamu, the senator representing Ogun East, against the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). 
The senator had approached the court to stop the anti-narcotic agency and the office of the AGF from seizing his property over allegation of drug trafficking.
Kashamu had in the suit stated that he learnt of a plan by the NDLEA and the AGF to seize or take over his property which include a 24-flat housing estate at Egbe and several hectares of land at Lekki Peninsular, Lagos worth over N20 billion.
According to the senator, allowing the respondents to seize his property would be a breach of his fundamental right to own property as enshrined under Section 43 and 44 of the constitution.
At the resumed hearing of the main suit yesterday, counsel to the AGF, Mr. Oyin Koleosho told the court that he had filed a notice of preliminary objection and written addresses on the grounds that the application was immature, incompetent and an abuse of court processes. He urged the court to dismiss Kashamu’s suit.
On his part, NDLEA’s lawyer, Mr. Oigoga Ichakpa told the court that the agency had filed similar counter affidavit in opposition to Kashamu’s application, adding that there was no evidence to prove the claims.
Kashamu’s lawyer however urged the court to grant his client’s application based on the fact that Kashamu had been exonerated of the allegation of heroine importation by a United Kingdom court and the United States authority.  Justice Buba, who promised accelerated hearing of the case, fixed November 18 for ruling after listening to the arguments of all the parties involved in the suit. The judge had on Tuesday refused to disqualify himself from the suit while delivering ruling on NDLEA’s application.