April 2, 2008
Abuja - The Nigerian government began a secret trial of two leaders of the militant Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) on Thursday, a group known for kidnappings and attacks on foreign-owned oil installations.
The duo, Henry Okah, and Edward Atata, were hurried into a courtroom amidst tight security provided by a combined personnel of the police and the Nigerian army in Jos, north-central Ngieria.
The stern-looking security operatives cordoned off the court premises ensuring that the press and the public did not get access to the courtroom.
Counsel to the duo, Femi Falana, told reporters at the court premises that the Nigerian government had not preferred any cogent charge against his clients.
'They are both innocent of charges levelled against them in the mass media so far,' the lawyer said.
The Nigerian government arraigned the duo in Abuja on March 5 on charges of treason, terrorism and gunrunning.
The accused were also charged with illegal oil bunkering, kidnapping, piracy, and financing of militant activities.
MEND has been at the forefront of kidnappings of expatriate workers or the family members of prominent Nigerians to drive home the demand for a greater control of the exploitation of oil and gas resources in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
Okah and Atata were arrested by the police on February 14 after their deportation from Angola where they had been detained on gunrunning charges.
More than 200 foreigners have been kidnapped in the Delta since the start of 2006, but other militant groups have also been responsible.
The duo, Henry Okah, and Edward Atata, were hurried into a courtroom amidst tight security provided by a combined personnel of the police and the Nigerian army in Jos, north-central Ngieria.
The stern-looking security operatives cordoned off the court premises ensuring that the press and the public did not get access to the courtroom.
Counsel to the duo, Femi Falana, told reporters at the court premises that the Nigerian government had not preferred any cogent charge against his clients.
'They are both innocent of charges levelled against them in the mass media so far,' the lawyer said.
The Nigerian government arraigned the duo in Abuja on March 5 on charges of treason, terrorism and gunrunning.
The accused were also charged with illegal oil bunkering, kidnapping, piracy, and financing of militant activities.
MEND has been at the forefront of kidnappings of expatriate workers or the family members of prominent Nigerians to drive home the demand for a greater control of the exploitation of oil and gas resources in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
Okah and Atata were arrested by the police on February 14 after their deportation from Angola where they had been detained on gunrunning charges.
More than 200 foreigners have been kidnapped in the Delta since the start of 2006, but other militant groups have also been responsible.
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