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Tag: kashamu

  • Revenue from lottery can boost FG’s earnings – Kashamu

    Senator Buruji Kashamu has said tax revenue from lotto industry can take Nigeria out of its economic woes if properly harnessed.

    Kashamu, who represented Ogun East Senatorial District in the eighth senate, revealed this during an interview with journalists in Lagos at the weekend.

    According to him, the failure of lotto industry operators to be faithful in the payment of taxes and levies to the coffers of government was partly responsible for the inability of government to be up to date in infrastructure development.

    The former legislator, who has interest in Western Lotto, said he was in support of the effort to sanitize the lotto business in the country to ensure that the industry creates wealth for the government and employment for the people as is the case in other countries.

    He said, “My interest in the gaming industry stems from the opportunity it gives for wealth generation, redistribution and empowerment of the masses.”

    He added, “I have it on good authority that all the promoters ought to have paid N600 billion to the Federal Government and its agencies but they have only paid N9 billion in the last 14 years. It is common knowledge that leading lottery and sports-betting companies are generating more than N1.5billion daily and N45billion monthly but do not pay the appropriate taxes. Some of them have over 400 active accounts in various banks in Nigeria that they use to perpetrate their fraud and illegality of short-changing the government. This must not continue.”

    According to him, the dominance of opaqueness in the operation of lottery business in the country has not allowed it to contribute maximally to economic growth of the country.

    He stated, “All the lottery and sports-betting companies have over 60,000 outlets/agents spread all over the country. Instead of them to allow the industry to flourish like it is in Ghana, South Africa, United States and the United Kingdom, where the funds are used to support the government and promote good causes, they short-change the Federal Government while feathering their own nest.

    Can you imagine one lottery operator saying he wanted to fix the National Stadium in Lagos when he has government’s money in his hands? What kind of corporate social responsibility or philanthropy is that?”
    Speaking on the rationale behind the franchise of Ghana Games obtained by Western Lotto, he said, “The Ghana Games is responsible for about 70 percent of the revenue from the lottery business. But it is being done in an illegal way. This aids the manipulation of the system and under-declaration of what they ought to be paying the government. They divert the funds into property acquisition and other businesses.

    “In a bid to correct the ugly trend and sanitise the system, Western Lotto obtained the franchise of the Ghana Games in Nigeria. And if due process is followed by the lottery operators in Nigeria with respect to this matter, the government will have so much to cater to the needs of the people and fix infrastructure, including the National Stadium. It should be noted that it is not only in the area of statutory remittances that they (lotto operators) have been short-changing the government. How can a father and three of his biological children be members of a 14-man board of the National Lottery Trust Fund if it is not to circumvent the system? I urge the government to rise up and correct these anomalies.”

    While applauding the steps initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to examine the books of lotto operators to see their level of compliance with the laws of the country, Kashamu said, “I must commend the universally-acclaimed Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mallam Ibrahim Magu, for the good and thorough job that he and his team have done so far. They should keep up the good work and recover all the illicit funds in the hands of these people.”
    He added, “The only way for the government to generate huge revenue from the gaming industry is for the operators to promote their indoor games and those who have the franchise of foreign games like the Ghana Games should be allowed to promote same.”

  • Photos: ICPC recovers three ambulances, 500KVA transformer from Kashamu

    Three ambulances and a 500KVA transformer have been recovered from Senator Buruji Kashamu, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), said on Thursday.

    The agency said the items were part of 2016 constituency projects meant to be distributed in Ogun East Senatorial District.

    The items were discovered at his Constituency Project Office in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State .

    ICPC spokesperson Mrs. Rasheedat Okoduwa said in a statement that the recovery followed intelligence alert by a concerned citizen.

    The statement said: “The three ambulances which were procured at the cost of N6million each, were meant to be supplied to Obada Healthcare Centre, Oke Sopin in Ijebu North Local Government Area; Community Health Centre, Itele in Ijebu East Local Government Area; and Community Health Centre, Ogijo in Sagamu Local Government Area.

    “The transformer is the last of an initial 11 meant for distribution to various communities of Ogun East Senatorial District which were procured at the cost of N3.6million each, bringing the total for the entire 11 transformers to N39.5million.

    “The commission received intelligence about the items from a concerned citizen who became aware of the commission’s Constituency Project Tracking Group initiative, which exercise has so far covered 12 states.

    “The recovered items were seized and the vehicles were moved to a police station while the 500KVA transformer was marked with the Commission’s seizure seal and in the interim, kept in the custody of the Manager of the Senator’s office.”

  • Extradition case: Kashamu knows fate July 2

    Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Friday, fixed July 2, to deliver judgment in one of the two fresh suits instituted by Sen. Buruji Kashamu to stop the Federal Government from extraditing him to the U.S. for trial over an alleged drugs offence.

    The judge who was billed to deliver the verdict in the suit on June 20, said the judgment was not ready attributing the development to heavy workload he had.

    Abang however pushed the matter forward and promised that the court would now deliver its judgment on the new adjourned date.

    The judge had on Thursday, June 20, fixed June 2, for hearing in the second fresh suit filed by the senator against his planned extradition by the federal government to face trial over alleged drug offence.

    NAN reports that Kashamu instituted three new suits against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), praying the court to stop the federal government and the NDLEA from arresting, detaining and extraditing him over the issue.

    In the instant suit filed by his counsel, Mr John Odubela, SAN, Kashamu argued that his fundamental rights to freedom and liberty would be breached with the plan to transport him to U.S. for the alleged offence if the AGF and NDLEA were not restrained from doing so.

    He claimed in his originating summons that two staff of the NDLEA had alerted him of the move by the two respondents to give effect to the extradition request of the American government against him.

    However, the AGF and NDLEA in their separate responses, prayed the court to dismiss the suit on various grounds.

    Among others, the AGF informed the court that the senator had been abusing court processes through filing of multiple suits on the same subject matter.

    Counsel to AGF Mr Gazali Tijani, told the court that the same plaintiff had in 2013 and 2014, instituted two different cases on the same issue against the Federal Government.

    He added that judgments in the two suits were delivered in 2015 by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Tijani, however, said that the two judgments of the high court delivered in 2015, were on May 4, 2018, voided and set aside by the Court of Appeal Lagos division.

    The counsel informed the Judge that the senator had since approached the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of the Court of Appeal.

    He, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the fresh suit on the ground that it constituted a gross abuse of court processes and lacking in merit because it did not disclose any cause of action.

    But the NDLEA in its opposition to the fresh suit told the court that Kashamu was wanted in the USA because of the 6.6kg of heroin he allegedly imported into the country in 1994.

    The Anti-Drug Law agency claimed that the Senator who represented Ogun East Senatorial District in the 8th Assembly, allegedly imported the hard drug into the USA.

    “In his capacity as the head of a large drug smuggling syndicate operating in Africa, Asia, Europe and America at the period,” the NDLEA said.

    In a fresh 54-paragraph counter affidavit filed at the court to oppose the innocence of the Senator, the NDLEA averred that Kashamu was indicted for hard drug offences in the USA.

    “But he escaped while his alleged co-offenders were arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment in America.

    “The counter affidavit is in respect of the fresh suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/536/2018 instituted by Kashamu and dated Oct. 16, 2018.

    “The affidavit deposed to by one Shehu Mohammed, a litigation officer with NDLEA and cited in Court explains that following Kashamu’s escape, the USA government in 2015 dispatched to Nigerian government a request for his extradition,”the NDLEA furhter said.

    NDLEA insisted that there was a valid and subsisting indictment against him in the United State’s District of Illinois, Eastern Division supported also with valid order for the arrest of the serving senator.

    The affidavit read in part “The applicant Mr Buruji Kashamu, is alleged to have violated Narcotic Laws of the USA by conspiring to import heroin into the country.

    “Heroin is a schedule 1 narcotic controlled substance under the laws of the USA.

    “There is valid and subsisting indictment against the applicant, Buruji Kashamu in the United States’ District of Illinois, Eastern Division.

    “On March 16, 1994, the applicant was charged in the USA/Buruji Kashamu, among others No. 94 CR 172 following the seizure of 6.6 Kilogrammes of heroin alleged to emanate from him.

    “The applicant Buruji Kashamu was further charged with a second superseding indictment filed on May 21, 1998, for conspiracy to import heroin into USA, following repeated seizures of heroin similarly alleged to be emanating from him.

    “A copy of the second superseding indictment and Arrest warrant for the fugitive issued by the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois is contained in Exhibit NDLEA 1.

    “That contrary to his depositions, the applicant has never been exonerated of any drug or related offence by any court of Nigeria, the United States of America (USA) of the United Kingdom (UK).

    “That the paragraphs of the applicant’s affidavit that talk of exoneration of crime/charges of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs are false.

    “That contrary to his depositions, the decision of the British Courts did not exonerate the applicant of any of the charges for drugs and related offences pending in the USA.

    “That the two judgments of the British Courts were decided on technicalities based on the laws of the UK.

    “They did not go into the merits of the extradition charges relating to conspiracy and illicit traffic in narcotic drugs in the USA.

    “That the judgment of the High Court of Justice (Queens Bench Division) in suit CO/2141/2000 delivered on Oct. 6, 2000, was decided on an application for the exercise of the court’s prerogative writ.

    “This to quash the committal order of the Metropolitan Magistrate on the grounds of suppression of vital facts in the Examination Request of the United States of America (USA).

    “That the decision of the Bow Street Magistrate Court that carried out a further inquisition into the Extradition Request of the USA merely discharged the applicant on the impugned credibility of the identification witnesses.

    “That contrary to his depositions, the two magistrates of both the Metropolitan and Bow Street found as of fact that extraditable offences have been committed to justify the extradition of the applicant.

    “That the claims of the applicant are unsubstantiated and should be dismissed with substantial cost, ” the NDLEA said.

    However, NDLEA urged the court to dismiss the fresh suit on the ground that it constituted gross abuse of court process with falsification of facts in the judgments by London and American Courts.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Abang, sitting at the Lagos division of the Federal High Court, had in 2015, in two separate judgments, barred the Federal Government from extraditing Kashamu.

    The two judgments were however on May 4, quashed and set aside by the Court of Appeal on the ground that they were based on hearsay evidence and suppression of facts by Kashamu.

    The Senator has since approached the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of the Court of Appeal which cleared the coast for the Federal Government to extradite him to the U. S.

  • Extradition: Court fines Kashamu for delaying suit against DSS, NDLEA

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered Senator Buruji Kashamu to pay N50,000 cost each to the Department of State Services (DSS) Director-General and the National Drug law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke awarded the punitive cost against him for delaying his suit against them and others.

    Kashamu is seeking to stop his extradition to the United States of America (U.S.A) over drug-related charges.

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Commissioner of Police, Lagos Police Command and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) are the other respondents.

    The senator representing Ogun East is praying the court to restrain the respondents and their agents from arresting, detaining him or interfering with his right to personal liberty and freedom of movement.

    Yesterday, Kashamu’s lawyer Mrs Ifeoma Esom was absent.

    She sought an adjournment on the suit through a letter to the court, saying she had another matter at the Court of Appeal.

    Counsel to DSS, Mr O. Bajela and J. N. Sunday (for NDLEA) noted that the case had been adjourned severally at the plaintiff’s instance.

    They asked for N100,000 and N200,000 costs against the plaintiff.

    Justice Aneke awarded them N50,000 each.

    The judge had taken arguments in the suit and had reserved judgment until April 29.

    But judgment could not be delivered that day as the period fell within the Easter vacation, and the court did not sit.

    The matter was adjourned till May 10 but could not hold due to a fresh issue raised by the plaintiff.

    In a supporting affidavit, the applicant averred that the AGF was reported to have said that the U.S. Government had been told to make a fresh request for Kashamu’s extradition.

    He averred that in a proceeding instituted in England by the U.S. authorities between 2002 and 2003, it was established that the senator was not the one implicated in the alleged narcotics offence committed in the U.S. in 1994.

    But, the NDLEA, in a preliminary objection, said U.S. authorities were seeking to extradite Kashamu to answer charges relating to heroine trafficking.

    According to NDLEA, the U.S. Government made a request to the Nigerian government for the applicant to be extradited in May 2015.

    “By the established principles of international law, and our domestic Extradition Act, Nigeria is under obligation to inquire into all extradition requests of countries with which it has extradition treaties with a view to determining whether there is a basis for granting such requests.

    “This process of inquiry will involve the adjudicatory processes of the courts, including the appeal process by an aggrieved party.

    “The claims of the applicant of any exoneration or lack of evidence of wrongdoing are to be ventilated at the court inquiring into the extradition request,” NDLEA said.

    NDLEA debunked Kashamu’s claim that he had been cleared of drug trafficking allegations.

    “The applicant has never been exonerated of complicity of any crime by any court either in Nigeria, the United States of America or the United Kingdom,” the agency said.

    NDLEA said Kashamu got wind of the extradition request and filed multiple lawsuits on the matter.

    It averred that in all the lawsuits, Kashamu sought a restraining order against it from arresting and extraditing him to the U.S.

    The agency said the senator’s suit and others were intended to stop it from discharging its duties.

    Besides, NDLEA said it had not received any directive to arrest Kashamu over the extradition request.

    “The existence of such directive, order or instruction is a ruse fabricated by the applicant to justify and sustain this suit,” the agency added.

    Justice Aneke adjourned until October 31 for hearing.

  • Kashamu’s extradition suit: Court awards N50,000 each to DSS, NDLEA

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday, awarded N50,000 each in favour of the Director-General, State Security Service (DSS) and the National Drug law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, in a suit instituted by Sen. Buruji Kashamu.

    Kashamu is seeking to stop his extradition to the United States, to face drug related charges.

    Kashamu, who is Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, had in his suit labelled FHC/L/CS/930/2018, joined the following as respondents:

    The Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Lagos Police Command, Director General, State Security Service (DSS), National Drug law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF)

    He is urging the court to restrain the respondents and their agents from arresting or detaining him, in any manner whatsoever, or interfering with his right to personal liberty and freedom of movement.

    In a ruling, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, gave the order, following the absence of the Kashamu’s lawyer, Mrs Ifeoma Esom.

    Justice Aneke asked Mr O.Bajela who appeared and J.N. Sunday who appeared for the DSS and NDLEA if they had seen a letter from the plaintiff counsel, seeking adjournment over another case she had at the Court of Appeal.

    Responding, they expressed dissatisfaction over the frequent adjournment, on the grounds that the case had been adjourned severally at the instance of plaintiff.

    He added that it was the case of the plaintiff and they ought to exhibit diligence.

    Consequently, the third defence counsel urged the court to award a cost of N100,000 in its favour against the plaintiff.

    In the same vein, fourth defence counsel, also asked for a cost of N200,000 against the plaintiff.

    Justice Aneke awarded a cost of N50,000 each in favour of third and fourth defendants and adjourned the case until Oct. 31 for hearing..

    NAN reports that Aneke had taken arguments in the suit from respective parties and had reserved his judgment until April 29.

    On April 29, judgment could not be delivered in the suit as the period fell within the Easter vacation, and the court did not sit.

    The matter was consequently, adjourned until May 10.

    On May 10, the case was set down for hearing on June 6.

    In a supporting affidavit, the applicant averred that by a newspaper publication, the Attorney General of the Federation was reported to have said that the U.S. Government had been told to make fresh request for his extradition, after the former proceedings were dismissed.

    He averred that, in a proceeding instituted in England by the U.S. authorities between 2002 and 2003, it was established that he was not the one implicated in the alleged narcotics offence committed in the U.S. in 1994.

    He said that consequently, he was not the person sought after by the U.S. authorities.

    Kashamu, is therefore, urging the court to restrain the respondents and their agents from arresting or detaining him in any manner whatsoever, or interfering with the applicants’ right to personal liberty and freedom of movement

    Meanwhile in a preliminary objection, deposed to by one Kareem Olayinka, the NDLEA averred that authorities of the United States are currently seeking to extradite the applicant to their country, to answer charges relating to Heroine trafficking.

    He said that the U.S. government then made a request to the Nigerian government, for the applicant to be extradited sometime in May 2015.

    The Agency said that since Kashamu got wind of the extradition request, he has filed multiplicity of law suits relating to the issue.

    He averred that in all these actions the basic relief sought, is a restraining order against the NDLEA, from arresting and extraditing him to the U.S.

    According to the NDLEA, this suit does not disclose any cause of action against the respondent, adding that the multiplicity of the action by the applicant against the NDLEA is intended to divert its energy and attention from discharging its mandate to the nation.

    He, avers therefore, that the NDLEA needs the protection of the court to stop this trend, as the applicant is only engaged in shopping for a forum that will grant his desired reliefs.

    The Agency is therefore, asking the court to dismiss the suit.

  • Ogun PDP crisis: Again, Adebutu loses to Kashamu in Court

    Ogun PDP crisis: Again, Adebutu loses to Kashamu in Court

    The Federal High Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State has refused the application of a member of the House of Representatives, Oladipupo Adebutu and others seeking to prevent the Governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun State, Senator Buruji Kashamu and others from being joined as “necessary and interested parties” in a suit pending before the court.

    Adebutu and others had filed the suit in which they are asking the court for an order of mandamus to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish their names in place of the ones already published by the Commission.

    When the matter came up, counsel to Kashamu and others, Prince Raphael Ajibola Oluyede, informed the court that his clients who were the candidates whose names had been published by INEC were interested in the matter but were not joined, hence, they had filed an application as interveners who were willing to be joined.

    But, counsel to the Plaintiffs, Mr. Afolabi Fashanu (SAN) objected to the joining of the applicant/interveners.

    After much arguments, the court, as presided by the Honourable Justice Abubakar Shittu held that the applicant/interveners were necessary parties that should have been joined. Consequently, the court joined them.

    Thereafter, Oluyede informed the court that they had filed an affidavit disclosing that the Plaintiffs and their collaborators were parading themselves as candidates of the party while they were still before the court praying to be declared as candidates.

    He added that they plan to hold a rally where they would be paraded and flags presented to them as candidates of the party even when INEC has not published their names and for which reason they were before the court.

    Oluyede submitted that such an action could lead to a breakdown of law and order and render the case before the court nugatory, if the court did not intervene, adding that the Police had already summoned an emergency security meeting based on the tension being generated by the matter.

    He prayed the court to direct the police not to grant any permission for a rally where flags would be presented to Adebutu and others.

    Alternatively, he urged the court to declare that if such a rally must hold, it was only those whose names had been published by INEC as the authentic candidates of the PDP in Ogun State that should be presented as candidates of the party in the state.

    Fashanu opposed the prayers, saying they were speculative.

    Ruling on the prayers, the court held that where the issue of a potential breakdown of law and order was raised, it has a duty to look at it and take steps to prevent it, adding that the Rule of Law was the basis upon which INEC and the parties conduct their activities.

    The court held that where the Rule of Law was jettisoned, it would result in the break down of law and order such as being raised by the applicant.

    The court then directed the parties in the matter (i.e. the plaintiffs and the respondents) and their counsel to refrain from being used to foist a fait accompli on the court or cause a breakdown of law and order.

    It also directed PDP not to hold anyone out or present anyone as candidates except those who names have been published by INEC pending the hearing and determination of the suits before it, stressing that anything done contrary to the position of the law would be contemptuous and could lead to the breakdown of law and order.

    The court adjourned till 14th February, 2019, for hearing of the substantive suit and all pending applications before it.

  • Ogun PDP: Kashamu makes U-turn, backs Adebutu’s governorship bid

    Senator Buruji Kashamu has abandoned his governorship ambition and has now urged his faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun state to support Oladipupo Adebutu, who is recognised by the national leadership.

    Buruji made the surprise surrender announcement on Thursday and directed all his supporters and associates to work with members of the Adebutu group “in the overall interest of the party”.

    Adebutu had been locked in a supremacy battle Senator Kashamu over the control of the state party structure and the Ogun State PDP governorship ticket. Kashamu, along with Reuben Abati as running mate, had laid claim to being the authentic candidates of the party.

    In a statement, the Ogun East senator said it was better for the contending groups to work and win together – in the overall interest of the party. As the saying goes, “united we stand; divided we fall”. It is only in unity that we can stand tall together.

    “It is true we are in court. But, we are hopeful that the issues will be resolved sooner than later. However, in the overall interest of the party, it is better and wiser for us to work together as members of the same family pending the resolution of the issues in court. We may have had our disagreements and issues, and have submitted them to the court for adjudication; yet, we have been talking to one another.

    “We reckon that whichever way it goes, the court cannot bring about genuine reconciliation and peace. So, we have resolved to be agents of peace and reconciliation. Let us put aside our ego, prejudices and personal interests, and work together for the Party – in the hope that whoever carries the day will work for the Party, its members and the generality of the people.

    “It is in the light of the foregoing that I wish to formally and publicly urge all my leaders, elders and supporters to work with the Lado group within the Ogun State chapter of the PDP ahead of February 16 and March 2, 2019 elections. Irrespective of our differences, we are members of the same family. At the end, it is the party that wins; not any individual or group.”

    Kashamu therefore urged that the ongoing unity meetings and rallies between the two groups within the Ogun State PDP should be intensified and held in the 236 wards, 20 local governments and three senatorial districts of the state.

    These, he said, will be capped with a “Mega Unity Rally” to be held on a date and venue to be announced soon.

  • I am still the Ogun PDP guber candidate – Buruji Kashamu

    I am still the Ogun PDP guber candidate – Buruji Kashamu

    Senator Buruji Kashamu said he remains the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun state and that a ruling by the Appeal Court in Ibadan today, does not affect his status.

    He said the interpretation being peddled around that Oladipo Adebutu has been reinstated as the candidate is ‘fake news’.

    The Appeal Court in Ibadan today set aside a court order which directed INEC to recognise the list of candidates submitted for the 2019 general elections by a faction of Ogun PDP loyal to Sen. Buruji Kashamu.

    Here is Kashamu’s interpretation of the judgment, according to a statement by Austin Oniyokor

    “We have received the news of the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital that set aside the orders of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta.

    ”We wish to clarify that contrary to the false news being spread by our opponents, the Court of Appeal did not declare Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu or anyone for that matter as the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State. That was not the prayers of PDP who are the appellants in the matter and so such a prayer could not have been granted.

    ”The Court specifically held that it was not a pre-election matter where the nomination of candidates is in issue since the matter was filed by the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP and not aspirants.

    ”Having held that it was not a pre-election matter, the Court of Appeal could not have made a pronouncement on the validity or otherwise of the nomination of candidates for the 2019 general election.

    “What is more, the 25th of October, 2018 letter written by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) emphatically stated that its decision to accept the list of candidates submitted by the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Exco was predicated on three court suits, namely FHC/L/CS/636/2016, FHC/L/CS/1556/2017 and FHC/AB/CS/114/2018. It is only the interlocutory orders in FHC/AB/CS/114/2018 that were set aside.

    ”The full and final judgments in FHC/L/CS/636/2016 and FHC/L/CS/1556/2017 in favour of the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Exco which are yet to be set aside and do not have any subsisting appeals against them still remain.

    ”It should also be pointed out that based on the judgments in FHC/L/CS/636/2016 and FHC/L/CS/1556/2017 in favour of the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Exco, INEC had in an earlier letter dated 12th April, 2018, informed the PDP of the commission’s compliance with the two judgments of the Federal High Court.

    ”The extant judgment of the Court of Appeal in this appeal does not finally determine the matter. That is why it ordered that the case file should be returned to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment of the case to another judge who will hear and determine the originating summons.

    ”Flowing from the above, we wish to reassure our teeming supporters, party leaders and elders, friends and associates that nothing has changed. The nomination of Senator Buruji Kashamu and all other candidates of the Ogun State PDP based on the valid and subsisting judgments mentioned above has not changed.

    “Finally, our lawyers have taken steps to immediately appeal the judgment of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court”.

  • BREAKING: Appeal Court sacks Kashamu, Abati, others as Ogun PDP candidates

    BREAKING: Appeal Court sacks Kashamu, Abati, others as Ogun PDP candidates

    The Ibadan Division of the Appeal Court, on Tuesday December 18, 2018 sacked Senator Buruji Kashamu and other ‘candidates’ in the Adebayo Dayo-led faction of the Ogun State PDP.

    With this judgement, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu and others who emerged through the party’s primaries are now the authentic candidates of the party in the 2019 election.

    The three-man appeal panel set aside the judgment of a Federal High Court in Abeokuta which threw up Kashamu and his factional members as the authentic PDP candidates.

    The panel headed by Justice A. B. Bada, resolved the four issues raised for determination in the appeal in favour of the PDP, saying the appellants were not properly served in the case at the lower court which breached their rights to fair hearing.

    Both Justices Bada and N. Okoronkwo agreed with Justice H. S. Samani who read the lead judgment.

    The judgment is expected to have removed the cloud over governorship candidates of Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu and the National Assembly and Ogun State House of Assembly candidates for the 2019 election.

    The PDP had dragged the Adedayo Bayo-led faction to the appellate court to challenge the lower court judgment which threw up its candidates.

    They prayed the court to set aside the judgment on the grounds that they were not properly served before judgment was delivered and that the lower court judge was wrong in his judgment.

     

  • 2019: Kashamu, Reuben Abati emerge Ogun PDP governorship, deputy candidate

    2019: Kashamu, Reuben Abati emerge Ogun PDP governorship, deputy candidate

    Senator Buruji Kashamu has emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for the Ogun State governorship election following the withdrawal of Mr Adeleke Shittu from the race.

    Shittu, who emerged as the governorship candidate of PDP from the primary conducted by the Bayo Dayo faction of the party in the state, allegedly withdrew from race voluntarily for Kashamu, who represents Ogun East at the Senate.

    Confirming the development, Kashamu’s media aide, Mr. Austin Oniyokor, said the leaders of the party prevailed on Kashamu to replace Shittu to brighten the party ’s chances of winning the governorship poll.

    However, it was gathered that the party retained former presidential spokesman Reuben Abati as the party’s deputy governorship candidate.

    Oniyokor said, “The party’s stakeholders, leaders and elders met and decided that it would be better for Senator Buruji Kashamu to run if the PDP wants to win.

    “Mr Adeleke Shittu, who was at the meeting, also saw reason with them.

    “I can confirm to you that Mr Shittu last week Friday signed the withdrawal letter and at the Senate he has informed INEC of his withdrawal from the race.”

    Meanwhile, the Unity Party of Nigeria has adopted the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Otunba Rotimi Paseda, as its candidate for the election in the state.

    The state Chairman of UPN, Alhaja Aminat Olatunbosun, made this known during a press conference in Abeokuta.

    Olatubosu said the party decided to endorse Paseda because “he is the most credible of all the governorship candidates being paraded by all the political parties in the state.”

    According to her, Paseda remains “the only candidate with impeccable character, whose integrity has consistently earned him the trust of the people.”