Lagos Division of Appeal Court, on Thursday, reserved judgment in the extradition suit filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, (AGF), on behalf of the Federal government of Nigeria, against Mr. Buruji Kashamu, an Ogun State Senator.
The Federal Government is seeking to extradite the senator to the United States of America (USA) to answer criminal charges on drug-related offences.
The three-man panel led by Justice Joseph Ikhegh, reserved judgment in the extradition suit, after parties have adopted their written addressees.
In urging the court to allow Federal Government suit against the senator, Mr. Emeka Ngige (SAN), told the court that the appellant’s suit is dated October 31, 2017, and filed on the same date.
Ngige (SAN) further told the court that the issues raised by the respondent (Kashamu), in his preliminary objection were ‘hearsay evidence’, which formed the basis of the judgment of the suit at Federal High Court.
The AGF’s lawyer also told the court that he had responded to the preliminary objection filed by Kashamu in a brief dated January 24, 2018, and urged the court to dismiss the preliminary objection, and allow the appeal filed by the Federal government.
In urging, the court to dismiss Federal government’s appeal, Kashamu’s lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), leading Mr. Hakeem O. Afolabi (SAN), told the court that the preliminary objection is dated and filed November 7, 2017.
Kashamu’s lawyers told the court that the submission made by AGF does not apply to the facts before the appellant court, adding that they are two different facts, words to words.
Fagbemi (SAN) therefore urged the court to dismiss the AGF’s appeal against his client.
The court reserved for judgment, after parties have argued and adopted their written addressees.
The return of parties to the appellate court followed the withdrawal of all motions filed by Kashamu at an Abuja Federal High Court.
The court is expected to determine the merit of the issues raised by the Federal Government and the defence by the senator.
According to Ngige (SAN) the AGF’s appeal, followed the Extradition Treaty between the Federal Government and the U.S.A.
The office of the AGF had filed the appeal on behalf of the Federal Government against the Judgments of Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos, and another by Justice Okon Abang of Abuja division.
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