There were strong indications, yesterday that the Federal Government is plotting to negotiate with South African government for the release of ex-militant leader and founder of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Mr. Henry Emomotimi Okah, from prison.
Okah was convicted two years ago by a South African court for the 2010 twin bombing of the venue for Nigeria’s 50th Independence anniversary in Abuja and was sentenced to a 24- year term.
The planned release of the ex militant leader was to enable him serve his term in Nigeria.
Although it is not too clear whether Okah would be released into the free world immediately, it however envisaged that the plan was to negotiate with the South African Government to release him to the Nigerian authorities for the purpose of serving out his term in Nigeria.
Information gathered indicates that the purported move is allegedly being spearheaded by some federal government officials working together with a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who later jumped ship. They were said to have purportedly held several meetings with their counterparts in the South African government aimed at working out an agreeable method of releasing Okah to the Nigerian government.
The Presidency, however denied knowledge of such plan. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said he did not have any information regarding moves by the federal government to facilitate the release of Henry Okah. Adesina said, “I don’t have information on it.
If I have information on such matter, I will tell you,” he added. But reports have it that the plan was at an advance stage and that the federal government would not want to confirm.
Henry Okah was convicted two years ago for the bombing that took place on October 1st, 2010 during Nigeria’s 50th Independence Anniversary in Abuja.
He was arrested in Johannesburg a day after the Abuja bombing and charged to court. Although he denied the allegation, his group MEND, accepted responsibility for the bombing.
