Okah’s Conviction: Matters Arising

The anti-terror war in Nigeria may have received a big boost, follow-ing the conviction, recently, of Henry Okah, erstwhile leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in far away South Africa.

Okah was accused of terrorism by federal authorities who suspected him of masterminding the twin-bombings in Abuja on October 1, 2010, during the nation’s Independence Day Anniversary celebrations.

To many Nigerians, the news of the protracted trial and subsequent conviction of Henry Okah, to say the least, did not come as a surprise rather it was perceived in many circles as a day that a Daniel went to judgement.

Although the charge attracts life sentence, the possibility of an appeal still exists if Okah’s lawyers resolve to proceed to an appellate court to upturn the judgement. The Tide and, indeed, other well-meaning Nigerians applaud the judgement by a South African court, especially because terrorism was becoming a problem in Nigeria

In fact, Okah’s conviction brings to mind the sentencing of former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, who was convicted by a London court for high-profile money laundering charges. How the courts outside Nigeria are able to do this needs to be understood.

The scenario readily brings to mind how the judiciary in Nigeria fails to handle or convict high-profile persons, nor deemed it fit to prosecute the many terror suspects or cases in Nigeria since 2010 when terrorism took definite stance in our country.

Sadly, it has also exposed the Nigerian judicial system greatly. The attempt to politicise the on-going terror attacks in Nigeria, and the call by a section for dialogue has tended to make light the killings of thousands of innocent Nigerians whose offence was going to church to worship their God.

While some people think that the current wave of terrorism in the country may be connected to some disgruntled politicians and their likes to make Nigeria ungovernable for a Southern President in the person of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, The Tide believes that the trend presents  a clear and present danger for our country.

Perhaps, that is why the Federal Government must, as a national challenge borrow a leaf from the authorities in United Kingdom and South Africa to prosecute suspects arrested in connection with terrorism in Nigeria. To reduce it to a mere dialogue is like allowing the witch to live.

Besides the point that terrorism has brought very negative image to Nigeria and adversely affected our economy, especially in the Northern part of the country, it has, indeed, become imperative to prosecute these terror suspects in order to decongest our prisons, and, perhaps, also limit the rate of insurgency amongst prisoners who may recruit new converts  within the prisons.

The Tide expects the Police and other security operatives to come up with impeccable evidences on each of the terror suspects in their custody for prosecution to enable the courts proceed with their cases without further delay.

The truth remains that keeping suspects indefinitely in custody without trial, not only runs foul of constitutional provisions of the rights of the suspects, but also negatively affects Nigeria’s  human rights records. The trend must change.

The authorities must muster the political will to prosecute terror suspects, their masterminds and sponsors now. If the on-going anti-terror campaign must succeed and be dealt with once and for all, those who have been arrested in connection with the act should face the law.

While we commend the South African Court for the timely dispensation of justice, we think that any group that may be angry with the judgement should go and seek appeal and present evidence while Okah must be freed and not to make threats and expose themselves to similar charges that can no longer find any excuses.