Johannesburg - Two years ago on Tuesday, Nigerian terrorism accused Henry Okah was arrested.
Monday marked the 52nd anniversary of Nigeria’s independence and also the second anniversary of the October 1, 2010 Abuja bombings, in which 12 people were killed and 36 injured.
Monday also marked the beginning of the trial of Okah at the Johannesburg High Court, where he faces charges of terrorism and conspiracy to engage in terrorist activity following the bombings. There was tight security outside and inside the court.
Okah is said to be the leader of the rebel militant group the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend). He moved to SA after he and other militant leaders were granted amnesty in 2009 following their agreement with the Nigerian government that they would work towards peace in the Delta.
It is alleged that Okah, as the leader of Mend, organised and orchestrated the two car bombings from his home in Bassonia, Joburg.
First to testify in the trial was the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsay Orubebe. He began his testimony by explaining the history behind years of unrest in the Delta:
“The Niger Delta is a wetland of Nigeria. Oil was first discovered around 1956 and later became the only source of revenue for the entire Nigeria.
“The Niger Delta was neglected in terms of development. There was environmental pollution and economic deprivation. People never had the opportunity to be involved in the economic affairs and had no say in terms of what was to be done with the revenue,” he continued. As the people’s dissatisfaction grew, so did their armed struggle against the government.
Okah became a revered leader who was seen to be championing the rights of the disenfranchised of the Delta. However, after rebel attacks allegedly orchestrated by his organisation, he was arrested in Angola and deported to Nigeria in 2008.
Orubebe was then asked by the government to head a tactical team to urge all former militant leaders to lay down their arms and live in peace.
“They [militant leaders] gave three conditions: the first was to grant amnesty to all the militants, the second was to release Okah from prison and the third was to fast-track development,” he said.
Orubebe said amnesty was granted to Okah because he was a key figure in the Niger Delta struggle.
Orubebe reiterated that Okah was the leader of Mend, along with Tom Poloone. The trial continues.
The Star