In a dramatic turn of events, the U.S. government has officially withdrawn the long-standing narcotics case against the late Nigerian politician, Buruji Kashamu, 31 years after charges were first filed. The decision came following the confirmation of Kashamu’s death through DNA evidence, which was essential to closing the case.
Kashamu, who passed away in 2020 from complications related to the coronavirus, had been embroiled in a high-profile legal battle with U.S. authorities for decades. The charges, which accused him of leading an international drug trafficking ring, were first filed on March 17, 1994. However, due to ongoing legal challenges and multiple twists in the case, the matter remained unresolved until now.
The case, which gained widespread attention, was even said to have inspired the hit Netflix series Orange Is The New Black. Despite a lengthy battle, the case was not dismissed until Judge Jorge Alonso of the U.S. District Court in Northern Illinois granted a motion to dismiss on April 18, 2025, following the confirmation of Kashamu’s death.
“The motion to dismiss the case against Buruji Kashamu was granted as it is impossible to continue prosecuting a deceased individual,” stated a court representative. This decision marks the end of a 31-year legal saga that saw the late Kashamu accused of organizing a global drug network, recruiting Americans to smuggle narcotics across borders.
Kashamu’s legal journey began in the United Kingdom in the 1990s, where he was arrested following the U.S. extradition request. However, he successfully contested the extradition, claiming that he was the victim of mistaken identity, as U.S. authorities had mistakenly targeted him instead of his brother. A British judge ultimately agreed, and Kashamu was released.
In 2009, Kashamu returned to Nigeria, where he transitioned into politics. He was elected as a senator for Ogun East in 2015, representing the Peoples Democratic Party. The U.S. authorities, however, never gave up on pursuing his extradition, and in 2019, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) attempted to arrest him. A standoff ensued at his Lagos home, but Kashamu managed to secure a court order to prevent his arrest.
Despite his continued denials of the charges, Kashamu was unable to quash the U.S. case in his lifetime. He died in 2020, leaving behind a controversial legacy marked by his political career and legal battles.
In its motion, the U.S. government confirmed that while the criminal case was being dismissed, questions remain about whether any assets belonging to Kashamu, including his investments in real estate and gambling businesses, will be seized. His ownership of the Best Western Hotel in Lagos is among his notable assets.
With the formal withdrawal of the case, Kashamu’s legal troubles have finally come to an end, though the shadow of his past continues to loom over his legacy.
