The South Gauteng High Court sitting in Johannesburg, on Tuesday sentenced Henry Okah, leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND to a total of 24 years imprisonment for his role in the October 1, 2010 bomb explosions in Abuja that killed 12 people and left 36 others injured during Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations.
“Effectively, the accused (Mr Okah) is therefore sentenced to 24 years imprisonment,” Judge Neels Claassen said as he handed down sentence.
On 21 January, Mr 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 explosive device.
The charges related to two car bombs in Abuja, Nigeria, in which 12 people were killed and 36 injured on 1 October 2010, the anniversary of the country’s independence while the second bombing took place in Warri on 15 March 2010; at a post amnesty dialogue meeting. One person was killed and 11 seriously injured.
Judge Claassen sentenced Okah to 12 years imprisonment for each of the bombings and 13 years for the threats made to the South African government after his arrest in October 2010.
The 13 years would run concurrently with the 24 years.
However, Mr Okah has denied any involvement, claiming the charges against him were politically motivated.
Time will tell!