Lebanese Suspects Are Hezbollah Military Wing Members —SSS

Investigations into the activities of
the co-owner of Amigo
Supermarket, Mustapha Fawaz,
and three other Lebanese -
Abdalah Tahini, Talal Rouda and
Khosai Nouridine - arrested in
connection with the armoury and
Hezbollah terror cell in Bompai,
Kano State, have taken an
international dimension, according
to the State Security Service.
Also, preliminary investigations have
established a more serious case of
terrorism against the Lebanese
suspects.
These revelations emerged in a
counter-affidavit filed by the SSS to
oppose a suit before an Abuja
Federal High Court, in which the
Lebanese are challenging their arrest
and detention.
The Lebanese joined the SSS, the
Inspector-General of Police and the
Attorney-General of the Federation
and Minister of Justice as defendants
in the suit in which they demanded
N50bn compensation, as well as an
order restraining the defendants
from extraditing them without
following due process.
But in a counter-affidavit filed by the
SSS, the security agency opposed the
Lebanese application, and instead
advanced reasons why it should
continue to hold onto the suspects.
It told the court that ongoing
investigations into the activities of the
Lebanese suspects had taken an
international dimension.
There were also indications that the
Lebanese might face terrorism-
related charges as the SSS in the
counter-affidavit, also informed the
court that preliminary investigations
had established a terrorism case
against them.
Part of the counter-affidavit read,
"That preliminary investigation has
established a more serious case of
terrorism.
"That the investigation has assumed
an international dimension and
sophistication requiring time and
advanced expertise to conclude."
The SSS insisted that the suspects
were members of the Hezbollah
military wing, an international
terrorist organisation.
The security agency further told the
court that "some of the suspects are
currently at large," stressing that a
premature release of the suspects
would jeopardise the investigations.
The counter-affidavit also disclosed
that prohibited firearms and other
incriminating items were discovered
in Fawaz's residences at Wonderland
Amusement Park, Abuja, and 58
Adetokumbo Ademola Street, Wuse
2, Abuja, while the sum of $61,170
was found on Tahini when he was
arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano
International Airport, Kano, on his
way to Egypt en route Lebanon.
In the same vein, the SSS faulted the
Lebanese claim that they were
arrested and detained without being
taken to court, arguing that the
suspects had already been arraigned
before a Magistrate's Court in Karu, a
town on the outskirts of the Federal
Capital Territory.
Meanwhile, the suspects were
produced before an Abuja Federal
High Court on Thursday, in
compliance with an order made by
the presiding judge, Justice Adeniyi
Ademola, on Monday, June 10, 2013.
Justice Ademola had made the order
following an ex parte motion
brought by counsel for the Lebanese
suspects, Chief Robert Clarke, SAN.
Hearing of the suit in which the
suspects asked the court to enforce
their fundamental rights was slated
for Thursday, but the hearing could
not proceed as the counter-affidavit
was only served on the Lebanese on
Thursday morning.