Ogun East senatorial district senator-elect Buruji Kashamu defied an order to show up in court today in a suit which would have kicked off his extradition proceedings on drug related charges.

“Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu has failed to appear in court from his house where he is being closely monitored by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,” an exasperated NDLEA which had stormed Kashamu’s abode in commando-like fashion on Saturday, said in a statement issued Monday afternoon.

“The Agency is working hard to ensure that he submits himself to the due process of the law,” Mitchell Ofoyeju, the agency’s spokesperson added.

“His house remained cordoned by anti-narcotic officers pending his appearance in court.”

Earlier, a band of Kashamu supporters had stormed the premises of the court to protest his arrest and extradition. They held placards expressing support for him.

Kashamu had resisted arrest on Saturday and had threatened to commit suicide in his own home. He had also said the NDLEA had no warrant of arrest to effect his being taken custody.

The NDLEA said it had received a formal request for Kashamu’s extradition from the Embassy of the United States of America.

“Kashamu has been a target of both the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for over 20 years and was indicted in the Northern District of Illinois, United States, on charges brought against him by ICE,” the NDLEA said.

It added that “The extradition move by the NDLEA for Kashamu to answer drug trafficking charges is legal. The agency has not violated his rights and will continue to work within the confines of the law. He has been assured that due process of the law shall be adhered to at every stage.

“NDLEA is the appropriate government agency to implement his extradition request and will diligently pursue the processes to a logical conclusion.

“It is expected that Kashamu will willingly submit himself to the laws of the country under which he seeks to serve as a Senator.”