The State Security Service (SSS) has
informed a Federal High Court in Abuja that there is the need to detain the
co-owner of Amigo Supermarket, Mustapha Fawaz, and two other Lebanese, Abdallah
Tahini and Tala Ahmed Roda, on the grounds that they are members of
Hezbollah military wing, an international terrorist organisation.
It further alleged that the three
Lebanese suspects had conspired and imported prohibited firearms, and that it
was therefore appropriate to keep them in its custody pending the conclusion of
investigation.
The SSS also disclosed that its
preliminary investigation, which has assumed an international dimension, has
established a more serious case of terrorism against the Nigerian-based
Lebanese businessmen.
The SSS said it needed more time and
advanced expertise to conclude investigation, arguing that the suspects were a
security risk while their activities constituted a threat to national security.
The SSS disclosed this in a
counter-affidavit filed in response to the suspects’ application of enforcement
of fundamental rights.
In the counter-affidavit made
available to LEADERSHIP yesterday, the SSS said some of the suspects are
currently at large and a premature release of the suspects is capable of
compromising the investigation.
Besides, the SSS said that it has
forwarded to the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) a preliminary case
file for his legal advice, arguing that granting an application to release the
suspects is not in the interest of national security.
The counter-affidavit, which was
filed on June 13, also wants the court to take judicial notice of the fact that
the suspects’ depositions in their application over alleged unlawful arrest and
detention are absolutely false.
Moreover, the SSS said it has
formally arraigned the suspects before an Abuja Chief Magistrates’ Court
in Karu on May 5, 2013, on the basis of a first information report (FIR) on
allegation of criminal conspiracy and unlawful importation of prohibited firearms.
It added that the court remanded the
suspects in the custody of the SSS pending conclusion of investigation and the
case was adjourned to June 17, 2013.
But the suspects had, in the
application to enforce their rights by their lead lawyer Chief Robert Clarke
(SAN), asked the court to declare that their arrest and continuous
detention by the SSS and IGP since May 9,11 and 25, 2013, without access
to lawyers and family is unconstitutional.
The suspects have also joined the
SSS, the inspector-general police and AGF as co-defendants in the suit
The Lebanese are therefore praying for an order of court compelling the
defendants to release them unconditionally or arraign them before any
court of competent jurisdiction within 48 hours, from the grant of the application.
They are also seeking
N3billion damages for illegal detention.
source: leadership
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