An Abuja Federal High Court on Friday refused bail to three Lebanese accused by the Federal Government of being terrorists.
The court, presided by Justice Adeniyi Ademola, in its ruling on a bail application filed by the suspects – the co-owner of Amigo Supermarket, Mustapha Fawaz, and two others, Abdallah Thahini and Talal Ahmad Roda – held that their release could undermine Nigeria’s security.
The Lebanese are being tried by the Federal Government on six counts of terrorism and related offences, following their arrest in connection with the armoury and Hezbollah terror cell in Bompai, Kano State.
In a bid to prove that they will not run away from the country if granted bail, they had asked the court to allow the Lebanese ambassador or the country’s head of mission in Nigeria to stand surety for them.
Their lawyer, Robert Clarke, SAN, had also claimed that one of the accused persons has a heart condition which required specialist attention.
The Lebanese suspects also asked the court to reopen Amigo Supermarket and Wonderland Amusement Park Resort, which were sealed after their arrest.
The Federal Government, in the charge filed by Simon Egede, the acting Director of Prosecutions of the Federation, alleged that the Lebanese used their premises at Amigo Supermarket Ltd. and Wonderland Amusement Park Resort, both in Abuja, and No. 3, Gaya Road, Kano, for terrorist activities.
However, ruling on the application on Friday, Justice Ademola refused all the prayers made by the Lebanese and instead, ordered an accelerated trial of the matter.
Two of the six counts in the charge attract a life sentence, a factor which the judge said must be considered in deciding the bail application.
He noted that the weight of the punishment could tempt the accused persons to jump bail, especially as they have dual citizenship.
The suspects had pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned, but Justice Ademola held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against them.
The judge added that the medical report presented by the Lebanese did not disclose any information that could be relied on to grant them bail.
Justice Ademola said, “Once the security of the state is in jeopardy, it is difficult to grant bail. The accused persons may jump bail.
“Having resolved the matter in favour of the respondents, the motion on notice is hereby dismissed.”
He also upheld the prosecution’s argument that the sealed premises should not be reopened until investigations were concluded.
The judge ordered an accelerated hearing of the matter, and adjourned till July 29, 30 and 31, 2013, for trial.
via nigerianeye
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