Two Germans accused of spying granted bail in Nigeria

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Two Germans filmmakers who are being tried for espionage in Nigeria were on Friday granted bail by the court in Abuja.

The two, named as Florian Orpitz, 35, and Andy Lehmann, 26, are charged with having contravened Nigerian law by taking photographs and videos of pipelines, refineries, petroleum installations, ships and other objects located in the protected areas.

They are standing trial alongside US-Nigerian national Judith Asuni, 60, and Nigerian Danjuma Saidu on seven counts of espionage and of having falsely presented themselves as academic researchers in applying for visas.

While granting bail to the two German defendants, judge Binta Murtala-Nyako ruled that Asuni and Saidu would remain in custody.

All four have pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and spying on military and sensitive information relating to the security of Nigeria.

They are alleged to have conspired to commit felony and entered the vicinity of protected places in Lagos in Nigeria's south-west, Warri and Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta.

Asuni and Saidu are alleged to have aided the Germans in making a false declaration to the Nigerian embassy in Germany for the purpose of obtaining visas to enter Nigeria.

Murtala-Nyako granted the Germans bail provided that senior officers of the German embassy who do not enjoy diplomatic immunity, stand surety. dpa ah bve ds