Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday sanctioned the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for delaying hearing in a suit brought by Senator Buruji Kashamu.
The Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District is seeking to restrain the Federal Government from seizing his assets.
NDLEA, a respondent in the action, had asked the judge to disqualify himself from adjudicating the suit.
The agency also prayed the court to discharge an order restraining it from arresting Kashamu.
The suit was adjourned for hearing on Wednesday, but NDLEA’s lawyer, Mr. J.N. Sunday, sought an adjournment to enable him regularise his processes.
He said there were “blunders” in the agency’s application before the court that needed to be corrected.
Kashamu’s lawyer, Ifeoma Esom, who stood in for Ajibola Oluyede, said they were ready to go on with the case as the suit was ripe for hearing.
Sunday, however, said the agency did not intend to delay the case by seeking an adjournment.
“The applicant has already tied our hands with the order. We have no reason to delay this matter,” he said.
Justice Buba awarded N20,000 cost against NDLEA, and adjourned to enable it rectify the “blunders in their processes.”
The judge awarded the cost in favour of Kashamu without being prompted, as Esom did not ask for compensation for inconveniences occasioned by the adjournment.
Justice Buba also pointed out that NDLEA appeared to be asking for two contradictory reliefs.
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