Nigerian Militant Okah Appears In South African Court

South African Press Association (Johannesburg)
Nigeria: Militant Okah in Court

4 October 2010


Johannesburg — Nigerian former militant leader Henry Okah had his terrorism case postponed in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Monday.

He would apply for bail on October 14.

Okah was arrested in Johannesburg on Saturday after a dual car bombing killed 12 people in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, on Friday.

He had been linked to the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which had claimed to be fighting for a fairer distribution of oil revenue.

Abayomi Adeshida/Vanguard

The scene of a bomb blast during the 50th Independence Anniversary around the Millenium Park, Abuja.

The group was believed to be an umbrella organisation for criminal gangs.

Okah was charged with engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to engage in terrorist activity, and delivering, placing and detonating an explosive device.

His attorney Piet du Plessis asked the court to place Okah in a high risk detention facility in Johannesburg Central prison.

Du Plessis said detaining Okah in a normal prison would put him at risk and he contended that his arrest was unlawful.

The prosecution and the defence would discuss whether Okah should be moved to another jail while awaiting his bail application.

Okah was arrested in Angola three years ago and transferred to Nigerian custody.

He was released as part of an amnesty programme offered to militants in the Niger Delta, the heart of Nigeria's oil industry, and lives in Johannesburg.

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