JOHANNESBURG – A South African court on Tuesday jailed
Nigerian national, Henry Okah for 24 years after he was convicted of 13
terrorism charges over twin bombings in Abuja in 2010.
Nigerian national, Henry Okah for 24 years after he was convicted of 13
terrorism charges over twin bombings in Abuja in 2010.
“Effectively, the accused Okah is therefore sentenced to 24
years imprisonment,” said Judge Neels Claassen.
years imprisonment,” said Judge Neels Claassen.
Twelve people were killed in the bomb attacks in the Nigerian
capital as the country was celebrating the 50th anniversary of its
independence.
capital as the country was celebrating the 50th anniversary of its
independence.
The state argued that Okah showed little remorse during
the trial, and that his intentions in the bombings were to “obtain maximum
casualties.”
the trial, and that his intentions in the bombings were to “obtain maximum
casualties.”
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND),
which in 2010 was a well-equipped armed group fighting for a greater share of
the Delta oil wealth, claimed responsibility for the attacks.
which in 2010 was a well-equipped armed group fighting for a greater share of
the Delta oil wealth, claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Okah, who has permanent residency in South Africa, has denied
any involvement in the bombings, claiming the charges against him were politically
motivated.
any involvement in the bombings, claiming the charges against him were politically
motivated.
The 46-year-old was also found
guilty over two explosions in March 2010 in the southern Nigerian city of
Warri, a major hub in the oil-rich Delta region.
guilty over two explosions in March 2010 in the southern Nigerian city of
Warri, a major hub in the oil-rich Delta region.
State prosecutor Shaun Abrahams told AFP that the sentence
included 12 years each for the Warri and Abuja attacks. He was also sentenced
to 10 years for being a threat to South Africa, a term that will run
concurrently.
included 12 years each for the Warri and Abuja attacks. He was also sentenced
to 10 years for being a threat to South Africa, a term that will run
concurrently.
Abrahams said the prosecution – which had asked for a maximum
of life in prison – will consider appealing the sentence.
of life in prison – will consider appealing the sentence.
Okah is thought to be the first foreign national to be tried
for terrorism in South Africa. He has been in custody since his arrest in
October 2010, a day after the Abuja bombings.
for terrorism in South Africa. He has been in custody since his arrest in
October 2010, a day after the Abuja bombings.
Okah did not testify during trial, prompting the judge to say
that his failure to take the stand meant the evidence against him remained
uncontested.
that his failure to take the stand meant the evidence against him remained
uncontested.
He has had several run-ins with the law. In September 2007,
he was arrested for arms and explosives trafficking in Angola and later
extradited to Nigeria.
he was arrested for arms and explosives trafficking in Angola and later
extradited to Nigeria.
Police identified him as “an international gun-runner and a
major oil bunkerer (thief) in the Niger Delta.” AFP
major oil bunkerer (thief) in the Niger Delta.” AFP
