A South African court has convicted Henry Okah of terrorism
allegation made against him by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
allegation made against him by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Henry Okah was alleged to have been the mastermind of the
October 1, 2010, bombing which occurred at the Eagle Square, Abuja, during the
Independence Day celebration.
October 1, 2010, bombing which occurred at the Eagle Square, Abuja, during the
Independence Day celebration.
Twelve people were reportedly killed while 36 were injured.
Okah, the alleged leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger
Delta that claimed responsibility for the blasts, was arrested in Johannesburg
the following day.
Okah, the alleged leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger
Delta that claimed responsibility for the blasts, was arrested in Johannesburg
the following day.
Okah was charged with engaging in terrorist activities,
conspiracy to engage in terrorist activity, and delivering, placing, and
detonating an explosive device.
conspiracy to engage in terrorist activity, and delivering, placing, and
detonating an explosive device.
Among those who had testified at the S.A. Court was minister of
Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe. Okah denied involvement in the attacks,
which were claimed by MEND militants, and also denied being the leader of the
group.
Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe. Okah denied involvement in the attacks,
which were claimed by MEND militants, and also denied being the leader of the
group.
Also testifying at the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg
was a witness who introduced himself as Stanley.
was a witness who introduced himself as Stanley.
He said that Henry Okah gave instruction for the attacks in
Abuja during the independence anniversary celebrations in 2010.
Abuja during the independence anniversary celebrations in 2010.
“I overheard Okah on numerous occasions discussing the purchase
of weapons and in 2007 he contacted me asking me to pass a message to other
leaders to do whatever it takes to get him out of jail. His wife Azuka also
planned to kidnap the Angolan ambassador in Nigeria to bargain for his
release,” Stanley said.
of weapons and in 2007 he contacted me asking me to pass a message to other
leaders to do whatever it takes to get him out of jail. His wife Azuka also
planned to kidnap the Angolan ambassador in Nigeria to bargain for his
release,” Stanley said.
He affirmed that, in January 2010, Okah instructed him to get an
empty apartment he wanted to use to assemble car bombs.
empty apartment he wanted to use to assemble car bombs.
He also explained what he knew about the bombing.
“A friend, Raphael Danfebo, told me Okah wanted to carry out the
terror attack and gave instructions for two cars to be sent to Abuja on
October. 1,” Stanley said.
terror attack and gave instructions for two cars to be sent to Abuja on
October. 1,” Stanley said.
Conviction indictment on Nigeria’s justice system – NBA
In a reaction yesterday, the Nigerian Bar Association called for
the overhauling of Nigeria’s justice system in order to speed up the
dispensation of criminal cases in the country.
the overhauling of Nigeria’s justice system in order to speed up the
dispensation of criminal cases in the country.
The chairman, NBA, Ikeja branch, Mr.Onyekachi Ubani, made the
call while reacting to the conviction of Nigerian militant leader, Henry Okah,
by a South African court for acts of terrorism.
call while reacting to the conviction of Nigerian militant leader, Henry Okah,
by a South African court for acts of terrorism.
Ubani told journalists that the major lesson Nigeria should
learn from Okah’s conviction was how to fast-track the dispensation of justice
in its legal system.
learn from Okah’s conviction was how to fast-track the dispensation of justice
in its legal system.
He said the Nigeria justice system was slow, ineffective and
inefficient to meet the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
inefficient to meet the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
“Former Delta State governor, James Ibori, was jailed by a
United Kingdom Court, whereas the crime was committed in Nigeria.
United Kingdom Court, whereas the crime was committed in Nigeria.
“Now, Okah has been convicted by a South African court for an
offence also committed in Nigeria.
offence also committed in Nigeria.
“This shows that there is something fundamentally wrong with our
criminal justice system and it needs to be overhauled,” Ubani said.
criminal justice system and it needs to be overhauled,” Ubani said.
He said had Okah been charged for the offence in Nigeria, the
matter would not have gotten to conviction stage by now.
matter would not have gotten to conviction stage by now.
“His brother and some other persons were arrested and arraigned
for the same offence in Nigeria but the matter is still proceeding at a very
slow pace,” Ubani added.
for the same offence in Nigeria but the matter is still proceeding at a very
slow pace,” Ubani added.
He, however, said Okah has the right to appeal the judgement.
The NBA chairman also condemned the recent attack on the Emir of
Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, by some suspected terrorists.
Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, by some suspected terrorists.
Source: Leadership
