Nigerian Newspapers
Okah to spend 24 years in jail
•MEND: we’re not surprised
•My forever guy, says wife
Militant leader Henry Okah’s controversial life collapsed yesterday at a South African court.
The leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) got a 24-year jail term.
Mixed reactions trailed the court’s verdict. MEND said it was disappointed but not surprised by the sentence.
The leader of the Niger Delta volunteers’ Force (NDVF), Alhaji Asari Dokubo, hailed the sentence, saying “justice has been done”.
He said the verdict was too mild as the court ought to have slammed a death sentence on Okah.
In an online statement by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, MEND accused the South African court of allowing itself to be compromised by the “highly-corrupt” Nigerian government.
The statement reads: “MEND received with incredulity, the twenty-four year sentence slammed on Henry Okah, after a sham trial in a South African kangaroo court.
“We are disappointed, but not surprised that the South African judiciary has allowed itself to be compromised by the highly-corrupt Nigerian government.
“The governments of South Africa and Nigeria should realise that this planned sentencing of Henry Okah would not in any way, shape or form, change our struggle, as we will remain dedicated to our cause, until we achieve full justice and emancipation for the Niger Delta and its people.”
Dokubo told The Nation that the sentence was even too lenient .
He said: “Justice has been done now to a man who chose to take the lives of defenceless people. The sentence is even lenient, he ought to have been sentenced to death.”
The NDVF leader dismissed the possibility of any negative reaction from those sympathetic to the convict, alleging that Okah lacked the wherewithal to rock the boat.
Dokubo said: “There is no single negative reaction to be expected. Since he was detained, did oil production not increase? He does not have any followership except few criminals who are bent on perpetrating criminal activities. And I can assure you that any acts of criminality in the guise of being sympathetic to this development will be effectively contained.”
South Gauteng High Court Judge Neels Claassen delivered the sentence in Johannesburg, the South African capital.
Okah was found guilty of 13 counts of terrorism, including a twin-bomb attack that killed 12 people in Eagle Square, Abuja, on October 1, 2010 during the anniversary of Nigeria’s 50th Anniversary Independence.
Spokeswoman for the National Prosecuting Authority Phindi Louw announced the sentence in a phone interview, Bloomberg said.
Okah was found guilty on January 21 of master-minding the 2010 car bomb attacks which occurred in Abuja, three years ago close to where President Goodluck Jonathan was inspecting a guard of honour on Independence Day.
South African law allows trials of alleged terrorists arrested or resident in the country – no matter where their acts were committed.
MEND claimed responsibility for the attacks, after President Jonathan had exonerated the Okah-led group from the attack.
He was sentenced to 12 years for the Abuja bombing and got another 12 years for a March 2010 bombing in Warri, which MEND also claimed responsibility for, Louw said. Okah was also sentenced to 10 years for threatening South Africa and that term will run concurrently with the 12-year sentence for the bombing in Abuja, she explained.
MEND had threatened to attack the holdings of companies, including MTN Group Ltd. (MTN), Africa’s biggest mobile phone operator, and SacOil Holding Ltd. (SCL), an oil and gas exploration company, saying South African President Jacob Zuma is interfering “in the legitimate fight for justice” in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
Okah, who denied the charges, declined to testify. He said his trial was unfair because the Federal Government blocked about 20 witnesses from travelling to South Africa to give evidence.
He said: “The judge made his decision based on what was before him. The problem is that my witnesses were stopped from coming.”
The government accused Okah of leading MEND, an organisation, which was promoting militancy, to fight for a greater share of oil revenue for the Niger Delta.
Thousands of militants dropped their weapons to embrace the amnesty programmed introduced in 1999 by the Federal Government under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
Okah, who had earlier denied involvement in the Independence Day bombings , yesterday described the claim that he leads MEND as “ridiculous”.
According to him, his support was derived from the the various armed groups in the Niger Delta.
Prosecutor Shaun Abrahams said Okah was not remorseful.
Abrahams said: “The accused has shown no remorse for his actions throughout the entire trial… He is looking for a political resolution and has taken no responsibility for his actions.
“There are no mitigating facts that your lordship can take into consideration to impose a lesser sentence… The relevant sentence would be to impose a life sentence and the other sentences to run concurrently.”
Abrahams said Okah was previously granted amnesty by the Nigerian government to play a role in resolving issues in the Niger Delta and to work with the government to bring peace in that region.
He said: “Okah was given a second bite at the cherry, what did he do? There is no evidence of what positive role the accused played in the Niger Delta.
“The accused had his second bite at the cherry after he received his amnesty — he can’t in this regard get another chance.”
Abrahams told the court that Okah’s intentions in the bombings were to “obtain maximum casualties”.
On January 21, Okah was found guilty on 13 counts of terrorism, including engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to engage in terrorist activities, and delivering, placing, and detonating an Improvised explosive device.
The charges related to two car bombs in Abuja, in which 12 people were killed and 36 injured on October 1, 2010.
The court heard yesterday that in the Warri bombings Okah, was fully aware that a school in close to the car bombs.
“He was not remotely concerned that hundreds of children could die at his hands,” Abrahams added.
He said the principal of the school had decided to close the school for the day.
Earlier, Okah, dressed in a red checked shirt and tan trousers, entered the court and waved at his friends. He was flanked by 14 police officers.
Nineteen police officers took up position inside the courtroom and at the doors ahead of Judge Claassen’s entrance.
Okah’s wife, Azuka, arrived about 30 minutes into the proceedings.
When Okah saw his wife he sought to get her attention and gave her the thumbs up as she smiled at him.
Claassen adjourned proceedings for a tea break and indicated he would hand down sentencing after the break.
During the tea break, Okah and Azuka spent some time talking with each other. Okah was also seen chatting to the police officers inside the courtroom.
In January, Claassen said in his judgment that the State had proved Okah’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and that his failure to testify meant the evidence against him remained uncontested.
He found no evidence that Okah did not head MEND, which claimed responsibility for the blasts.
During the trial, Okah denied any involvement in the blasts and said the charges against him were politically motivated.
Activist lawyer Festus Keyamo said the conviction was politically motivated and legally incorrect.
The lawyer sought Okah’s unconditional release from South Africa prison. He said Okah’s offence was his refusal to accept the amnesty offered by the government and his insistence on the Niger-Delta controlling its resources.
The lawyer urged Nigerians and the international community to condemn the trial and judgment of the activist.
Keyamo said: “As counsel to Charles Okah and others who are facing the same set of charges under Nigerian Laws, I have been actively involved in coordinating the trials in South Africa and in Nigeria. The fundamental flaw in the trial is that Okah was not given adequate facilities and the opportunity to defend himself.
“This is because after the prosecution closed its case in South Africa, the defence attorneys and my chambers here in Abuja tried frantically to summon the witnesses of Okah who are based here in Nigeria to testify on his behalf. These witnesses include some government officials.
“In this regard, we wrote to the Attorney-General of the Federation who replied and directed that Okah’s counsel in South Africa apply to the court there for an order to secure the legal assistance of the Attorney-General of Nigeria. This was only two weeks ago.
“Without giving Henry’s counsel in South Africa adequate time and facilities to follow the directives, the South African court foreclosed his opportunity to call witnesses and rushed to convict him.”
Besides, Keyamo claimed that Okah’s conviction breached his fundamental right to fair hearing and an obvious attempt by the South African authorities to please Nigeria at all costs. “Whilst all Nigerians empathise with those who lost their lives and limbs in the October 1, 2010 bombings, it is wrong to convict anybody for it without due process. Henry has been convicted without due process,” he said.
————————————————————————————————————————-
Posted in Nigerian Newspapers. A DisNaija.Com network.
Source: The Nation Newspaper
DisNaija.Com publishes regular posts on Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Online Nigeria Gist.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Your Opinion Counts. Be sure To Leave A Comment, If You Have Any.
Please Like, Share or Tweet. Your Support Is Appreciated.
Tribune Online
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 62 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 165,110. The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Friday. “55 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria; Lagos-21, Yobe-19, Ogun-6, Akwa Ibom-3, Kaduna-2, Plateau-2, FCT-1, Rivers-1.” YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE COVID-19: Nigeria Recorded […]
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Tribune Online
Sourced From: Tribune Online
•Deploy more personnel as army chief vows to wipe out terror group
•Security beefed up at N’Assembly
Deji Elumoye and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power, is under a massive security cordon following threats of attacks by insurgents and the increasing wave of banditry in the contiguous states of Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger States, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed.
There has been a wave of kidnappings in the outskirts of the federal capital, notably Pegi, Tuganmaje and Kuje among others, which the police have battled in recent times.
The security situation in and around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was heightened by the pronouncement of the Niger State Governor, Mr. Sani Bello, that Boko Haram fighters who he said sacked 50 villages in the state and hoisted the terror group’s flag, were about two hours drive away from the FCT.
Security has also been beefed up at the National Assembly as operatives, yesterday, thoroughly screened every vehicle approaching the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
The deteriorating security situation nationwide prompted the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, to warn that the 2023 general election may not hold, demanding the declaration of a state of emergency as well as the convocation of a national conference.
However, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, yesterday restated the Nigerian Army’s determination to annihilate Boko Haram.
But the Governor of Katsina State, Hon. Bello Masari, cautioned against declaring a state of emergency, saying doing so isn’t the solution to combat the security challenges facing the country.
The security of the nation’s airports was also in focus yesterday as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) said there was no threat to them.
THISDAY’s investigations showed increased presence of troops, police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel and intelligence operatives at the three strategic entrances to the city notably, Keffi, Zuba and Gwagwalada.
More checkpoints were also mounted around Gwagwalada and Keffi.
THISDAY also observed increased intelligence deployment at the entrance and the borders of FCT with contiguous states.
Beyond the borders, there were more deployments and police patrols inside the city and increased intelligence deployments as well.
Security sources told THISDAY: “There are deployments here and there but they are routine. Alertness is key to a secure environment.”
It was also learnt that security agencies were involved in frenzied meetings throughout yesterday.
The meetings, coordinated by the office of the Chief of Defence Staff under the new joint operational strategy of the armed forces, were aimed at coordinating a joint response to possible threats of attack to the FCT.
“I understand the security teams have been meeting for some days now and if you look around you, you will notice that there are increasing patrols and numbers of security personnel. The threats are not been taken lightly,” a source said.
National Assembly workers, lawmakers and visitors also had a harrowing experience accessing the legislative complex due to heightened security in the area.
Security operatives thoroughly screened every vehicle approaching the National Assembly complex in Abuja, impeding both human and vehicular traffic.
The Sergeant-at-arm of the National Assembly and other security agencies supervised the operations, leading to huge traffic build-up inside the complex.
Legislative staff, visitors and lawmakers were seen patiently waiting for their cars to be searched so that they could go ahead with the business of the day.
Some staff and visitors at some point got tired of waiting and were seen alighting from their cars to trek from the gate to the complex.
Meanwhile, the ONSA has said there is no threat to the nation’s airports.
A statement by the Head of Strategic Communication, Mr. Zachari Usman, said the reports of threats to the airports were an internal correspondence of security threat assessment misconstrued as security threat to the airports.
PDP Demands State of Emergency
In a related development, the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, yesterday demanded the declaration of a state of emergency, warning that the 2023 general election might not hold if the federal government failed to tackle insecurity.
He called on the federal government to summon a national conference to address the spike in insecurity.
Secondus added that the national caucus of the party will meet today to discuss the state of the nation.
Addressing members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Abuja, Secondus said: “We are worried Abuja is not even safe. It is no longer politics. We got alert of plots to bomb and burn down our airports.
“We urge the federal government to declare a national state of emergency in security. There is the need to call a national conference to discuss the insecurity in the country.
“There may not be any election in 2023 in Nigeria due to insecurity. This government must listen to the people. The Buhari government should call a national confab to discuss security and state of the nation. It is no longer politics. This time we are not playing politics. Let’s keep politics aside and move the nation forward.”
He said the country had been grounded, regretting that there had been no matching response from the federal government.
Secondus said in the past, terrorism in the North was confined to the North-east, but with the report of Boko Haram occupying villages in Niger State, terrorism had spread to the North-central
“Herdsmen are also menacing in the West; gunmen causing havoc in the East; and the militants in the South; all killing, looting, raping, maiming and burning down homes. The situation is bad; Nigerians all over are living in fear,” he said.
The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the problem of Nigeria was outside of the PDP headquarters, while pledging the support of the Senate to the declaration of state of emergency in security.
Abaribe said he deliberately decided not to speak on the floor of the Senate but to allow the APC senators to speak so as to avoid being accused of giving a partisan colouration to the issue of insecurity.
He stated that only electoral reforms would give victory to the opposition party in the 2023 general election and ensure a democratic defeat of the APC-led federal government.
Also, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, commended the NEC and the PDP leadership for their collective efforts at resolving the House leadership crisis.
The NEC meeting adopted the position of Secondus, calling on the federal government to convoke a national conference to discuss the state of insecurity in the country, according to a communiqué read by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan.
Army Chief Vows to Wipe Out Boko Haram
The army yesterday reiterated its commitment to wipe out Boko Haram.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, told reporters in Maiduguri, Borno State that Boko Haram had been defeated in many encounters and would continue to be defeated until it’s annihilated from Nigeria.
“We will take on Boko Haram decisively, and we are committed to the focus of the operations, which is the total annihilation of Boko Haram from Nigeria,” he said.
The COAS, who was visiting the headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri for the fifth time since his appointment four months ago, said the visit was to boost the morale of the troops, reassure them and listen to any issues affecting them.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Farouq Yahaya, lauded the visit, which he said had continued to boost the morale of the troops.
“We are honoured, we are grateful, we are encouraged by those visits. You provided us guidance, logistics and other things we required. We are most grateful for those visits,” Yahaya said.
State of Emergency Won’t Solve Security Challenges, Says Masari
Katsina State Governor, Hon. Aminu Masari, has, however, said declaration of a state of emergency won’t solve the security challenges facing the nation.
Masari, who spoke yesterday with journalists after meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari at the State House, Abuja stated that he was against the recent call by the House of Representatives for the declaration of a state of emergency in the security sector as it would not solve the problem.
According to him, declaring a state of emergency will not achieve the desired effect as the security structure and personnel to be used to execute the emergency are already overstretched in a bid to safeguard lives and property.
Sourced From: THISDAYLIVE
Kamaru Usman has raked in a mammoth £1.1million, about N584.2 million after his impressive knockout victory over Jorge Masvidal on Saturday night, Sportivation.com.ng reports.
The Nigerian Nightmare has been handsomely rewarded for his stunning performance and he was the best-paid fighter on the card which was witnessed by 15, 000 fans in Florida.
According to Daily Mail, Usman earned £538,000 to show up, £459,000 pay-per-view bonus, a £43,000 sponsorship bonus and a well deserved £35,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Jorge Masvidal also earned £358,000 to show, £186,000 in pay-per-view money and a £28,000 sponsorship bonus.
This is the biggest payday of Usman’s career so far and the Welterweight champion also benefited from the fact that Masvidal is also a top draw for the fans.
Kamaru Usman is a Nigerian-American professional mixed martial artist, former freestyle wrestler and graduated folkstyle wrestler.
Sourced From: Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics
The government said that no worker should stay back beyond 6:00 p.m. within premises of buildings undergoing construction.
The post Insecurity: Lagos bans occupation of abandoned buildings appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.
Sourced From: Premium Times Nigeria
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Military, Police Ring Abuja to Forestall Boko Haram Attack
UFC: Usman gets N584m after beating Masvidal
Insecurity: Lagos bans occupation of abandoned buildings
Buhari Will Win In 2019: US Institute
The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has predicted that President Muhammadu Buhari will win the 2019 election. The organisation...
Why Buhari Deserves Second Term – Lai Mohammed
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said that President Muhammadu Buhari deserved second term election because,...
Atiku Presidential Campaign Council: PDP Releases List of Members
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday released the list of party members to handle the campaign team of the...
Obasanjo Forgives Atiku, Endorses Him For President
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday said he has reviewed his stance on not backing his former deputy for the...
Buhari, Atiku In Battle Of Integrity Over 2019 Poll
THE brickbats continued yesterday between President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The All Progressives Congress (APC) and...