The case of Nigerian terror accused Henry Okah was postponed to November 19 in the Johannesburg magistrate’s court on Friday.
The case of Nigerian terror accused Henry Okah was postponed to November 19 in the Johannesburg magistrate’s court on Friday.
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Magistrate Hein Louw could not hand down his judgment on the matter due to technical delays, Independent Online reported.
“This court cannot hand down judgment as I did not have access to my electronic records,” said Louw.
The State agreed to the postponement but put it on record that the case was delayed due to the defence’s actions.
While Louw was studying the audio records of court proceedings, the defence applied for access to the tapes.
“I was flustered upon receiving this request,” an obviously irate Louw said.
He said he didn’t want the matter to be delayed any further and wanted to hand down judgment, but couldn’t do that without listening to the tapes.
The defence was unsuccessful in another application to move Okah to a high risk centre in Johannesburg central prison.
In denying the State’s application Louw said it was beyond his jurisdiction to grant such an application.
He said Okah was the responsibility of correctional services and not that of the investigating officer.
He said the court normally granted such applications provided those parties agree.
Defence lawyer Rudi Krause asked the court to intervene by ordering the investigating officer to move Okah to the high risk facility so that he could have more access to his client.
Okah faces charges of terrorism, relating to the October 1 twin car bombing which killed 12 people and injured 36. in Abuja. The SSS has also linked Okah with another bombing in Delta State earlier in April.
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