Suspected spies in court

An American Judith Asuni,2 German Alexader Opekz and Andy Illinen and Nigerian Danjuma Saidu are accused in 7-count charges taking photographs and videoshots of pipelines refineries,petroleum installations and ships which is pre-judicial to the security of Nigeria. Although the accused were not formerly arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja,the prosecutor Salihu Aliu say they face a maximum of 7 years imprisonment if convicted. Soundbite:Prosecutor Speaking(ENGLISH): "Basically it is um,they are being charged for giving false information while applying for our visa and offences against the official secrets act". The 2 Germans were seperately accused in the charge of making false declarations to the Nigerian Embassy in Germany for the purpose of obtaining visas into Nigeria. Mrs Asuni's lawyer told Justice Binta Muritala Nyanko that his client has medical conditions would require the attentions of her family doctor and solicitor. He said she has been in solitary confinement for a week,he applied that the case be tried urgently. Soundbite:Counsel to Mrs.Asuni Speaking(ENGLISH): "From my own professional stand point,i think is very very irresponsible of the SSS,the way and manner they've gone about this,the way and manner they've been feeding the public with misinformation,i think is terrible". But the prosecutor said none of the accused has spent up to a week in police custody,he said the 2 Germans have been in the custody of the German Embassy while Mrs.Asuni and the Nigerian only spent the weekend with the State Security Service. Justice Muritala Nyanko ordered the 3 accused be remanded in the custody of the State Security Services till Friday and the charges would be read to them and their plea taken.