FG Seeks To Halt Contempt Action Filed By Kashamu

Kashamu Buruji

The office of the Attorney General of the Federation yesterday told a Federal High Court that it has appealed the judgment delivered by Justice Okon Abang on May 27 upholding the fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by senator Buruji Kashamu.

Counsel to the Federal Government, Chief Emeka Ngige SAN said the government also appealed another order issued on June 8 by Justice Ibrahim Buba also of the Federal High Court in Lagos restraining the Federal Government and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) from taking further steps on Kashamu’s extradition to the United States pending the hearing and determination of his contempt application against AGF and NDLEA boss. The matter is before Justice Ibrahim Buba.

The judge is hearing the contempt charge filed by Kashamu over alleged disobedience of court order. Ngige said the contempt claim was definitely aimed at achieving sinister motive.

Ngige had further drawn the court’s attention to an application to stay further proceedings in the matter pending the determination of the appeal. But in response, Kashamu’s counsel, Ajibola Oluyede said the application by Ngige amounted to an ambush on the contempt proceeding.

Oluyede said apart from the fact that he had not been served with the motion for stay, it was also important for the court to determine whether it could hear a party that had refused to obey a court order in respect of such application for stay.

In his brief ruling, Justice Buba said in view of the prevailing circumstances, he would adjourn the matter to enable all the processes to be properly placed before him. He, however, assured that justice would be done expeditiously. The matter was then adjourned to June 22, 2015.