The trial of three Lebanese nationals, Abdallah Thaini, Mustapha Fawaz and Talal Roda, accused of criminal conspiracy and unlawful importation of prohibited firearms has been stalled following a mix up in the trial date by the Department of State Security Service.
The accused persons were arrested in connection with large cache of arms discovered at a residence in Kano.
At the resumed trial in Abuja, lawyer to the accused persons, Ahmed Raji, told the magistrate that going by a counter affidavit filed before a Federal High Court by the counsel representing the State Security Service, Mr. Cliff Osagie, trial of the accused persons was meant to commence on the 17th of June.
However, after a careful study of the court’s records, Chief Magistrate Yemi Oyeyipo, informed the defence counsel that the trial is slated to commence on Wednesday the 19th of June contrary to the counter affidavit filed by the counsel to the State Security Service.
The three accused persons were formally arraigned before the Karu Chief Magistrate Court on the 5th of May on the basis of a first information report on allegations of criminal conspiracy and unlawful importation of prohibited firearms.
