Henry Okah Arrested In South Africa For Abuja Bombing.

JOHANNESBURG – A South Africa-based Nigerian ex-militant leader was directly involved in deadly bombings that struck his homeland's capital during independence celebrations, according to South African prosecutors who charged him with terrorism Monday.

At a court hearing in Johannesburg, prosecutor Shaun Abrahams said Henry Okah was a senior member of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, which claimed responsibility for a dual car bombing that killed at least 12 people in Nigeria's capital Abuja on Friday. Lawyers for Okah, who has been living in Johannesburg since 2009, say he has denied any involvement and that they would argue his arrest was unlawful. Okah made no comment at Monday's hearings. His lawyers said he feared for his life in a central Johannesburg jail, worried another prisoner might try to gain notoriety by attacking him. The judge said Monday arrangements had been made to hold Okah in a private cell Monday night, and that he would rule Tuesday on whether to move the suspect to a jail Okah considered more secure.

Abrahams presented a charge sheet accusing Okah of breaking South African counterterrorism laws by participating in the bombings. "We will be interacting and have been interacting with Nigerian authorities," Abrahams told the court. Chris Iroala, who identified himself as an official at the Nigerian consulate in Johannesburg, was in court Monday, often standing at the prosecutor's side. Iroala refused to comment on the case.

In Nigeria Monday, a security agency spokeswoman said nine people linked to Okah had been arrested there. The spokeswoman, Marilyn Ogar, would not name the suspects.
Sunday, Nigeria's federal police force named two men — Ben Jessy and Chima Orlu — as the attacks' "masterminds." Federal police spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu offered no further details about the two Nigerian men, other than warning the public it would be a crime to harbor them.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, also known by the acronym MEND, has destroyed oil pipelines, kidnapped petroleum company workers and fought government troops since 2006. It accuses Nigeria's government for doing nothing to end poverty in the delta even as the nation receives billions of dollars from oil revenue.

Okah has not recently been seen as a key figure in MEND. In 2008, he was arrested in Angola and extradited to Nigeria, where he was accused of treason and terrorism and linked to a gunrunning scandal involving high-ranking military officials. During his trial, word he was suffering from a kidney ailment emerged.
Charges were dropped and he was granted amnesty and freed in July 2009 as part of an initiative the government had hoped would end unrest in the oil-rich Niger Delta. But a cease-fire quickly unraveled.

About an hour before Friday's attacks, MEND issued a warning to journalists telling people to stay away from festivities at Eagle Square in Abuja marking Nigeria's 50th anniversary of independence from Britain. One car bomb exploded, drawing police, firefighters and the curious to the street near a federal courthouse. Five minutes later, a second car bomb exploded, apparently intended to target those drawn to the scene.
A third, smaller explosion struck inside Eagle Square during the ceremony, apparently injuring one security officer. However, MEND has denied placing any explosives inside the venue. Nigeria's president, though, has blamed a "small terrorist group that resides outside Nigeria" for the bombings. A statement from his office Sunday night quoted Jonathan as saying "investigations show that members of MEND have said they know nothing about" claiming responsibility for the attacks. However, it offered no other details. The attack Friday marked the first time MEND targeted Nigeria's capital.
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Associated Press Writer Bashir Adigun contributed to this report from Abuja, Nigeria

IN THE PICTURE: Henry Okah, a Nigerian ex-militant leader seeks cover on the back seat of a vehicle as he leaves the court in Johannesburg

Posted: at 4-10-2010 06:45 PM (13 years ago) | Upcoming

there was a reason for the arrest.  let us wait to see the outcome

Posted: at 5-10-2010 12:44 PM (13 years ago) | Newbie

There is always need to make a thorough investigation into the matter before jumping into conclusion. Though this does not portray a good image for Nigeria in any way, but the authority should endeavour to see that only the culprits are apprehended and brought to book after undisputable evidences have been establshed. This bombing if meticulously examined has a political undertone. May God continue to protect his children!

Posted: at 5-10-2010 04:12 PM (13 years ago) | Newbie

no comment until the final investigation

Posted: at 5-10-2010 09:15 PM (13 years ago) | Upcoming

the beginning of the race we no of, but we don't no haw it will end?

Posted: at 5-10-2010 11:47 PM (13 years ago) | Newbie

LETS WAIT AND SEE

Posted: at 6-10-2010 02:31 PM (13 years ago) | Gistmaniac

 

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Posted: at 5-01-2013 04:00 PM (11 years ago) | Addicted Hero

 

Posted: at 25-01-2013 07:59 PM (11 years ago) | Addicted Hero