Abeokuta — Contrary to the rumour that he had been declared wanted in the United States of America, business mogul and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart in Ogun state, Prince Buruji Kashamu, is neither a fugitive nor a wanted man in the U.S.

Kashamu's counsel, Ajibola Oluyede of TRLP Law in a press statement titled Re: Buruji Kashamu yesterday declared that his client was never declared a fugitive by any court in the US saying rather it was a case of mistaken identity, as Kashamu got a judgment in his favour in the United Kingdom against the government of United States of America.

The judgment according to Oluyede was at the High Court of Justice, Queens Bench Division in England, and contained in suit no CO/2141/2000 delivered habeas corpus in an application filed by Kashamu against the U.S government.

The judgment, stated inter alia that "the committal order must, in the circumstances, be quashed by reason of the unfairness of the proceedings resulting from the non-disclosure of crucial evidence, as accepted by the government. The write of habeas corpus will, accordingly, issue." The High court of justice averred that the government at the committal proceedings failed to disclose the identification evidence that proved that Kashamu was not the person involved in the alleged offences committed in the U.S by some persons.

Checks by THISDAY however revealed that the recent persecution of Kashamu, may not be unconnected with the political intrigues in his home state of Ogun where Kashamu is empowering thousands of Ogun citizens to the chagrin of the leaders of the PDP.

The business mogul took the state by storm, when he embarked on massive empowerment programme, giving out over 600 cars as well as cash to PDP faithfuls in the state. Investigation by THISDAY indicated that, the empowerment programme routed through a group tagged Omo Ilu was seen as a threat by some PDP notchers and Governor Gbenga Daniel's aides ahead the 2011 general election in the state.