It will be recalled that Mr. Kashamu was the mastermind behind an extensive drug trafficking ring based in Chicago, USA.
Forty-four-year-old Deji Babington-Asaye was arraigned on Tuesday before a chief magistrate’s court in Abeokuta for calling Buruji Kashamu, the senator representing Ogun State East, a “drug baron and jail breaker.”
Mr. Babington-Asaye, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the comment on a PDP group on WhatsApp between March 12 and 13.
According to the prosecuting counsel, Sunday Eigbejiale, Mr. Babington-Asaye’s comment threatens the peace of the State. The accused pleaded not guilty to a one-count charge of breaching public peace.
The defense counsel, Bola Oluwole, asked the court to grant his client bail. Chief Magistrate Oriyomi Ogunfowora granted Mr. Babington-Asaye bail in the sum of N250,000. The court then adjourned the matter till March 30.
It will be recalled that Mr. Kashamu was the mastermind behind an extensive drug trafficking ring based in Chicago, USA. He is currently wanted by the United States Department of Justice for smuggling heroin and other narcotics into the USA through O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Mr. Kashamu's elaborate drug operation was in part featured in the American TV series Orange Is The New Black.