Planned Abduction Of Kashamu: CSO Wants US To Absolve Self Of Complicity
A Civil Society Organisation, African Civil Liberty Committee on Rendition has asked the United State Of America to absolve herself from the planned abduction of a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Buruji Kashamu to face drug related charges.
The organisation, in a letter signed by it’s Coordinator, Mr. Sunday Philip, to the US ambassador in Nigeria, James Entwistle and dated May 15, 2015, accused some highly placed Nigerians of working with the US government to illegally extradite Kashamu, a Senator-elect to the US to face trial.
The organisation said, “We are worried that the United States Government has not adequately distanced itself from these weighty allegations that it is an active part in a plot to commit illegality on the soil of a friendly nation, to wit abducting and rendering the national of the country in collusion with other Nigerians who have made it clear that they are on a vendetta mission.
“There have been assertions that a court in the United Kingdom, presided over by district Judge Tim Workman on January 10, 2003 declared in his judgment (after 3 years of diligent trial), had earlier vindicated Prince Buruji Kashamu for the same charges he is allegedly being sought in the US thus resort to underhand tactics by the Nigerians involved in the abduction plot.
This judgment has not been appealed by authorities of any country. It is equally on record that an American judge, Charles R Norgle, District Judge of United States District Court for the Northern District Illinois, Eastern Division on the July 15th, 2010 ruled that Kashamu is not a fugitive. For Judge Norgle, who ordinarily has no basis to side with Kashamu, to have clearly stated that he is not a fugitive is an indication that there are untold stories on the Nigerians side.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has also not proven that it has received any extradition request from the United States. The Federal Government admitted that much in a letter by the Attorney General dated January 28, 2015.
“From several news reports, statements and declarations from the personae involved, it is apparent that former Nigeria’s President Olusegun Obasanjo is an arrowhead in the abduction plot and it is on this basis that we implore the US Government to revisit Obasanjo’s recent democratic credential that include his failed attempt at tenure elongation as well as the war crimes he committed in Odi and Zak Ibiam to get the true feel of what is driving his present venture. Supporting him to realize his goal of exacting vengeance portends evil not just for Nigeria, which is working through a process of healing, but also the entire African continent, as it would set a precedent that would unleash nightmares on those who dare to question or criticize bad governance. There should also be thoughts for relations with genuine Nigerian partners and stakeholders if a soon to be inaugurated senator is abducted with the strong connivance of the US.
“We know the United States of America as God’s Chosen people and defender of the oppressed, so why this unholy alliance with the persecutor of mankind?” The statement said.
Senate Presidency: Benue Political Leaders Sue Mark’s Support For Akume
By Jerry Emmanson, Abuja
Political leaders from Benue State under the aegis of Benue Rebirth Initiative have appealed to the Senate President, Sen. David Mark, to support the candidature of Sen. George Akume, in his desire to be Senate President.
The group which made this call in a communique issued at the end of their inaugural meeting held in Abuja yesterday and signed by Arc. Joe Ikyaagba and Sam Ode, said they had identified the key issues which have continued to drag the State backward particularly at the national scene where an average Benue man sees his fellow brother as an enemy and wished to appeal to all stakeholders to sheathe their sword and embrace unity and oneness of purpose.
The group also called on Mark to take a clear stance on the senate presidency, acknowledging the importance of his involvement in the campaign, saying his presence will add value to the bid.
“We also enjoin our brother who has walked this road before and has built the necessary bridges to enable Benue cross over to ‘El – Dorado’, Sen. David Mark to lead us as a united Benue to keep this age long tradition of passing – to – a – brother. It is imperative that at this auspicious time where his silence means so much, we expect that he takes a definite stance just as he is not known to be one who sits on the fence”.
The group further expressed their desire to shelve all tribal differences and work for the success of Senator George Akume’s senate presidency bid.
“We sincerely wish to use this medium to affirm to Nigerians and the rest of Africa that the bitter tribal discord between the various ethnic components of Benue State has been buried through the concerted efforts of this group in honour of Senator George Akume’s detribalized and nationalistic posture”.
According to him, Akume’s Senate Presidency will help to bring about rapid development of the north central geopolitical hemisphere by the practical demonstration of Akume’s mass followership cutting across every stratum of the society and the expected collaboration with the incoming administration of the President-elect to deliver on the APC manifesto.
“We wish to throw our total support behind Senator George Akume, which is not only to confirm his ever green political image in the minds of the poor masses of Benue State but to reaffirm our commitment to the unity of purpose that the interest of Benue State must come before the selfish interest of a few minority in the land”. They further acknowledged.
They further noted that they have carefully analyzed the various arguments canvassed in favour of Akume who is a former Governor of our beloved State and present minority leader of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, expressing confidence that Senator George Akume perfectly fits into the various arguments centred on religion, legislative experience, strength of character, goodwill, masses oriented ideology. “This rare gesture particularly from his party men and women at the All Progressive Congress is a pointer to the fact that Benue’s position in our democratic experience cannot be over emphasized at this point in time”. They declared.