October 21, 2008
Saharareporters, Jos
A Federal High Court judge in Jos has adjourned ruling in the case involving Henry Okah also known as “Jomo Gbomo” till May 2nd 2008 for ruling on an application challenging his secret trial. Okah, a senior Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) operative was arrested last year in Angola and extradited to Nigeria in February 2008.
At a resumed hearing today, the judge heard arguments from Henry’s lawyer, human rights attorney Femi Falana who brought the application requesting the judge to bring Okah’s trial to the open. Falana contended that since the government prosecutor had already released Mr. Okah’s offences to the public, there was no need for secrecy especially when the various offences for which he is standing trial can be tried in the open court in accordance with Nigerian laws.
The case was adjourned till May 2 2008 for ruling, but a worried judge summoned the media after the hearing to brief waiting journalists who were hitherto prevented from entering the courtroom about the outcome of the proceedings.
Mr. Okah is facing several felony charges, which include, treason, terrorism, gun running, extortion and kidnapping. The Federal prosecutor has withdrawn charges against Captain Edward Atatah but they have refused to release him from captivity. Sources told Saharareporters that since other militants within the Niger Delta area no longer cooperating as potential witnesses, the federal government is holding Atatah so that he will agree to testify against Okah during the trial.
Apart from Edward Atatah. Dr. Boladei Igali, former Secretary to the Bayelsa State government under Goodluck Jonathan has been listed as a prosecutor witness.
Dr. Igali was mentioned in court papers for serving as a conduit to bribe Henry Okah with proceeds of N200 million ransom collected from Italian oil company AGIP last year to process the release of kidnapped AGIP workers held by MEND militants. The AGIP workers, Roberto Dieghi, Cosma Russo and Francesco Arena, and Imad Saliba, were kidnapped in December 2006 after an attack on the AGIP terminal in Brass. They were released to Dr. Igali in January 2007 after he collected N200 million from AGIP.
Sources told Saharareporters that Dr. Igali did not disclose how much he collected to MEND operatives and may have given them a fraction of what he received. Okah’s attorney said he denies receiving ransom money from the former SSG.
Dr. Igali is currently Nigeria’s ambassador to Sweden recently appointed by Umar Yar’adua.
A Federal High Court judge in Jos has adjourned ruling in the case involving Henry Okah also known as “Jomo Gbomo” till May 2nd 2008 for ruling on an application challenging his secret trial. Okah, a senior Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) operative was arrested last year in Angola and extradited to Nigeria in February 2008.
At a resumed hearing today, the judge heard arguments from Henry’s lawyer, human rights attorney Femi Falana who brought the application requesting the judge to bring Okah’s trial to the open. Falana contended that since the government prosecutor had already released Mr. Okah’s offences to the public, there was no need for secrecy especially when the various offences for which he is standing trial can be tried in the open court in accordance with Nigerian laws.
The case was adjourned till May 2 2008 for ruling, but a worried judge summoned the media after the hearing to brief waiting journalists who were hitherto prevented from entering the courtroom about the outcome of the proceedings.
Mr. Okah is facing several felony charges, which include, treason, terrorism, gun running, extortion and kidnapping. The Federal prosecutor has withdrawn charges against Captain Edward Atatah but they have refused to release him from captivity. Sources told Saharareporters that since other militants within the Niger Delta area no longer cooperating as potential witnesses, the federal government is holding Atatah so that he will agree to testify against Okah during the trial.
Apart from Edward Atatah. Dr. Boladei Igali, former Secretary to the Bayelsa State government under Goodluck Jonathan has been listed as a prosecutor witness.
Dr. Igali was mentioned in court papers for serving as a conduit to bribe Henry Okah with proceeds of N200 million ransom collected from Italian oil company AGIP last year to process the release of kidnapped AGIP workers held by MEND militants. The AGIP workers, Roberto Dieghi, Cosma Russo and Francesco Arena, and Imad Saliba, were kidnapped in December 2006 after an attack on the AGIP terminal in Brass. They were released to Dr. Igali in January 2007 after he collected N200 million from AGIP.
Sources told Saharareporters that Dr. Igali did not disclose how much he collected to MEND operatives and may have given them a fraction of what he received. Okah’s attorney said he denies receiving ransom money from the former SSG.
Dr. Igali is currently Nigeria’s ambassador to Sweden recently appointed by Umar Yar’adua.
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