Henry Okah jailed 24 years

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Henry Okah is suspected to be behind the 2010 Independence Day Bombing that killed 12 people was today sentenced to 24 years in prison by a South African Court.  Mr Okah was found guilty on 13 counts of terrorism, including engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to engage in terrorist activities, and delivering, placing, and detonating an explosive device.

MEND’s Jomo Gbomo Dismisses Alleged Threat Letter… To Issue Formal Statement On Okah, Others Trial S

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In apparent reaction to the threat letter purportedly signed by one  Comrade Azizi on behalf of Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, Jomo Gbomo, who is recognized in media circles as the spokesman for MEND, has dismissed Comrade Azazi as an impostor and disassociated his group from the statements allegedly credited to it.

See his response below:

Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta wishes to advise  Nigerians and the media to disregard the pathetic attempt at propaganda by a  so-called Comrade Azizi and his statements which are not authentic and  statements emanating from  MEND.

Maku advises MEND not to make trouble over Okah’s Conviction

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Abuja – The Minister of Information, Mr Lebaran Maku, said in Abuja on Sunday that it would be wrong for any group to foment trouble in Nigeria as a result of Henry Okah’s conviction in South Africa.  A South African court convicted Okah for his involvement in the Oct.1, 2010 bombings in Abuja.

After the court’s judgment, the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) threatened to attack South Africa and cause trouble in Nigeria.

Maku said it would be wrong for any group or individual to have anything against Nigeria as Henry Okah was tried and convicted in South Africa.

Conviction of Henry Okah: Statement from Mend?

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A statement purportedly from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, has been released five days after its former leader Henry Okah was found guilty of the 2010 Independence day bombing by a South African court.
The statement, dated 23 January, and signed by “Comrade Azizi,” promises hell ahead in Nigeria. Thing is, no one knows for sure if the letter really came from MEND. 

Henry Okah Found Guilty of 2010 Independence Day Bomb Attack

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The sentence includes a life jail term. The sentence will be carried out on January 31^st or February 1^st. The judge however gave Okah room for mitigation. Okah is accused of masterminding two car bombings in Abuja on October 1 in 2010.

12 people were killed and 36 were injured. He was arrested in Johannesburg the following day. Okah was allegedly the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), that claimed responsibility for the blasts. He was charged with engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to engage in terrorist activity, and delivering, placing, and detonating an explosive device.

Festus Keyamo condems judgement on Henry Okah

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Below is a press statement by Festus Keyamo on the conviction of Henry Ukah in South Africa.

The decision of the South African Court that convicted Henry Okah this morning of charges relating to terrorism is politically motivated and legally incorrect.

As counsel to Charles Okah and others who are facing the same set of charges under Nigerian Laws, I have been actively involved in coordinating the trials both in South Africa and in Nigeria.

The fundamental flaw in the trial is that Henry Okah was not given adequate facilities and the opportunity to defend himself. This is because after the prosecution closed its case in South Africa, the defence attorneys and my Chambers here in Abuja tried frantically to summon the witnesses of Henry Okah who are based here in Nigeria to testify on his behalf. These witnesses include some government officials.

Charles Okah prison letters

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Dear readers – I wanted to share with you this letter from Charles Okah, who is currently held in prison where he has been pressured to fabricate accusations against critics of the government and subjected to the worse kind of abuse. His story speaks for itself. – Nasir El-Rufai.
See Charles Okah's prison letter after the Jump Break.