9th November, 2010
A Johannesburg court in South Africa has postponed judgement on the bail application of Nigerian terrorism suspect Henry Okah, who is accused of masterminding bombings that killed 12 people in Nigeria last month.
Okah was arrested at his home in Johannesburg on 2 October , a day after twin car bombings rocked Nigeria’s capital Abuja as the country celebrated 50 years of independence from British rule.
He is accused of engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to engage in terrorist activities, and delivering, placing and detonating an explosive device – charges he denies.
Magistrate Hein Louw deferred his ruling until Friday, saying he needed more time to listen to the recordings of the bail hearing.
Okah is believed to be a former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), a militant group demanding a greater share in Nigeria’s oil wealth for the population of the oil-producing region.
Last year, MEND signed an agreement with the government to disarm in return for an amnesty and small cash sums for ex-fighters.
Okah is believed to lead a faction opposed to the deal. In 2009 he moved to South Africa after being released from prison as part of the amnesty deal. He had been arrested in Angola in 2007 on gun-running charges.
His lawyer has demanded bail on the basis that state prosecutors have yet to produce incriminating evidence linking him to the Abuja attacks. State prosecutors insist they have a strong case and maintain Okah is a flight risk.
Copyright protected by Digiprove © 2010 P.M.News