ex-N’Delta militants regroup over election violence in the North

by nigerian newspapers today on April 20, 2011 · 3 comments

in News, Politics

Angered by the violent response in parts of the North to the apparent victory of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan in last Saturday’s presidential election, leaders of defunct militant groups in the have held an emergency meeting on how to handle the situation and protect   the interest of the region.
Daily Sun learnt that ex-militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), was one of the conveners of the meeting.

Former field commanders of the (), like Victor Ebikabowei (Boyloaf) and Shoot-At-Sight as well as key Niger Delta activists attended the meeting.

A source privy to the gathering said it was convened to plan a counter-strategy to the violent reactions in the North to the results of the last Saturday’s presidential poll as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

One of the decisions taken at the meeting, which was said to have lasted about one hour, was that all former militants were asked to report to their communities and placed on alert.
Niger Delta indigenes resident in the North were also asked to return home.
A leader of thought in the region, Ms Annkio Briggs, in a telephone interview, confirmed the meeting just as she warned that people of the region were being pushed to the wall by the post-election violence in the North.

“We cannot accept a situation where our son, President Goodluck Jonathan, has won an election and some people want to truncate it through violence. If that is the way they feel about Jonathan’s victory, we may have no choice but to again review our stand on the Nigerian federation.
One of the militants’ leaders, who resides in Calabar, told Daily Sun that the meeting took place in a coastal town on the outskirts of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital.
The leader of the one the groups that has benefited from the federal government amnesty programme, who did not want his name on print, said: “The meeting is being called to articulate a proper response to the ongoing violent protests in the North against the victory of .”

According to him, “we cannot fold our hands and watch our sons and daughters being killed in the North in the name of protesting against Jonathan’s election neither can we accept any attempt to intimidate President Jonathan out of his apparent victory at the polls; we will match violence for violence if measures are not taken to stop further anti-constitutional means by any individual or group of persons.”
The amnesty office could not confirm the details of the meeting but a press statement made available and signed Mr. Henry Ugbolue, confirmed such a rumour that the former leaders were converging in Port Harcourt for the emergency meeting.

The spokesperson for the amnesty programme, stated: ‘I also heard that the leaders are meeting this evening somewhere around Port Harcourt; I don’t have the exact details. But you know that the amnesty office does not regulate their movements or decrees for them when to meet. They are free citizens of this country and they have the right to meet at any time or venue they so choose.”

It could be recalled that barely 48 hours to the presidential election, the leaders of the defunct Niger Delta militant camps and groups met in where they pledged their support for President Jonathan and warned that the amnesty programme and indeed peace in the Niger Delta would be endangered if Jonathan failed at the polls.

According to the communiqué signed by about 24 of them, the ex-militants reiterated their total support for Jonathan to become Nigeria’s elected president for the next four years and urged all Nigerians irrespective of their language, religion, zone or ethnic group to support and vote massively for Jonathan
“Our call for support for Dr. Jonathan is also hinged on the fact that within a short period in office (less than one year), he has delivered on virtually all the promises he made to Nigerians. He has stabilised power supply across the country; he has achieved electoral reform and even a review of the constitution; and he has placed the nation’s economy on sound footing.”

Continuing the group said: “ The Niger Delta has over the years sacrificed its land and people to nourish and nurture Nigeria to become an economic giant in Africa; we have over the years watered the seed of unity in our country by joyfully backing the leadership aspirations of Nigerians from other zones.
“The Niger Delta has given its best and all to Nigeria. We do not, therefore, think that asking for support for a qualified son of the Niger Delta, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to become the president of Nigeria for next four years is asking for too much.

“Convinced that the Niger Delta deserves to be given this opportunity, we wish to let all Nigerians know how much we crave to be treated as equal partners in a nation that we have put in so much to nurture.”

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MEND vows to strike without prior notice

by nigerian newspapers today on March 16, 2011 · 0 comments

in Featured Headline News, News, Politics

MOVEMENT for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta, , said, yesterday, that it would now carry out bombing and attacks in Lagos, and Niger-Delta without prior notification as promised earlier since the government was treating its threat as a joke.

The militant group in a statement by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, also said the news that the United States was training Nigerian policemen on bomb detection was a laughable one.

“We gather that some agents from the United States are training some members of the Nigerian police force in bomb detection, detonation and making improvised bombs. We find this very laughable coming from a country that cannot guarantee its own citizen’s security with their overwhelmed prison system. coupled with a useless and corrupt Nigerian police and security force that will end up selling this knowledge”, the group said.

Accordnng to the statement, “The Movement for the Emancipation of the (M.E.N.D) wishes to strongly advise the general public and all oil companies to disregard all attempts by the Nigerian government and security services in dismissing our latest threat”.

“In light of these attempts by the Nigerian security services, we may resort to carry out all bomb blasts without prior notification and then issue a statement of claim after wards”, it asserted.

“Anyone caught up in these blasts due to their ignorance would only have themselves and the government to blame. The same government that would abandon the casualties in an unequipped teaching hospital while their family members travel abroad for medical treatment.

“The government of has formed a habit of blaming its political opponents in other bomb attacks so when we start to strike, we will sit back and watch how the blame game will continue to be played out by the government after our statements of claims has being issued.

“We finally reiterate our desire to avoid any civilian casualties and again strongly warn the general public to stay clear of any political gathering or meeting of any sort as we know our targets”, it said.

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Charles Okah slumps in court, rushed to hospital

by Nigerian Information Directory on January 18, 2011 · 0 comments

in Featured Headline News, News

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
— There was a mild drama at the Federal High Court in , Tuesday, when Charles Okah, who was alleged to have masterminded several acts of terrorist activities across the nation, slumped in the middle of court  proceedings and feigned death.

Charles who is the younger brother to the embattled ex-leader of the , , Henry Okah, is facing trial alongside three others accused of committing acts of terrorism and other treasonable offences against the Federal Republic of Nigeria at different times and various places.

Barely few minutes after hearing resumed, yesterday, on one of the criminal charges filed against them by the government, the trial Judge in the matter, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, observed that Okah looked sick and ordered the court clerks to provide a chair for him to sit in the dock, but before the chair was brought, he fell flat on his face and stretched to full length.

His collapse occasioned a little pandemonium in the court room as lawyers and his fellow accused persons rushed to resuscitate him.
Consequently, Justice Kolawole stood down the matter to enable the prison medical team, which was immediately sent for, to come to his rescue.

Justice Kolawole, later in his chamber, ordered that he should be moved to the National Hospital for adequate medical attention, adding, however, that he must be kept under close surveillance of operatives of the State Security Service ,SSS.

The subsisting case against them was equally adjourned till January 27, for continuation of trial.

It would be recalled that the younger Okah, Obi Nwabueze, Edmund Ebiware, and Tiemkemfa Francis Osvwo, a.k.a General Gbokos, are answering to a 1_count charge with 22_particulars of overt acts of treason, as well as another 8_count criminal charge relating to the October 1 twin bomb blasts that killed about 12 persons in Abuja whilst Nigeria celebrated its independence day.

They were also accused of conspiring with Henry Okah and one Emmanuel Allison to make a direct attempt to endanger the life of by seeking to drive two motor vehicles wired with time_regulated explosive devices to the Eagle Square where the Independence celebration was taking place.

FG further alleged that the accused persons between January 2 and March 15, 2010, within Port_Harcourt Rivers State and diverse places, conspired with Henry Okah, Chima Orlu, at large, and persons unknown, to make a direct attempt to endanger the lives of the Governor of Delta state, Edo state and Imo state by seeking to drive two motors vehicles wired with time regulated explosive devices into government house annex, Warri, Delta State, the venue of the Vanguard Post Amnesty Dialogue, where the said governors were in attendance, in order to cause a bomb blast for the purpose of levying war against the state.

It was said that a man lost his life as a result of that explosion.

Charles was specifically alleged among other offences, to have engaged the services of one Bassey Umoren, a welder, and paid him N50, 000, to construct hidden compartments into four motor cars, two of which were subsequently loaded with explosive devices at Port_Harcourt by Obi Nwabueze and Chima Orlu, at large, and positioned on 1st October at 0830 hours near the venue of the anniversary for the purpose of levying war against the state.

He was also accused of sending two consignments of army camouflage torches, bullet proof vests and boots to Allison for onward transmission to one Segun Llori alias Stone face, at large, for use by terrorists recruited by Henry Okah in the creeks of

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Henry Okah begs South Africa .. I want asylum

by Nigerian Information Directory on November 5, 2010 · 0 comments

in Featured Headline News, News, Politics

JOHANNESBURG – ALLEGED Nigerian terror bombing conspirator, Henry Okah, has applied for refugee status as he was living illegally in South Africa, the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court heard, yesterday.

This came just as his bail application in court was postponed for judgement.
State prosecutor Shaun Abrahams said in closing argument in Okah’s bail application:”He is also afraid that Nigerian authorities may apply for his extradition.”

Abrahams said the State had a strong case and was confident that Okah would be convicted when the matter went to trial.

Okah is suspected to have been the mastermind behind the October 1 Independence Day car bombs in . He faces charges of engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to do so, and delivering, placing and detonating an explosive device.

The State said the 45-year old Nigerian faced administrative action from the Department of Home Affairs for alleged fraud relating to his permanent residency in the country.

Okah’s lawyer, Rudi Krause, earlier told the court:”The content of the (State’s) affidavit is not true. My wife overheard the prosecutor saying: ‘Just get me something, I don’t care what it is’.”

Contradicting evidence

Throughout his bail application, Okah had maintained that the prosecution had yet to produce evidence linking him directly to the crime.

Earlier, magistrate Hein Louw conducted an inquiry after the State failed to give Okah’s defence copies of contents taken from his computer hard drives and cellphone data.

Two State witnesses, a Warrant Officer Mufamadi and a Lieutenant-Colonel Makhuza, gave contradicting evidence, explaining why they failed to hand over the copies to the defence.

Both employed at the police’s computer crimes unit, the two told the court that they could not comply with the order to hand over the document due to “technical reasons”.
Louw said: “It is clear that one of the two witnesses is lying to this court. I order the State to open two cases of perjury and bring this to the attention of the police head for disciplinary action against the two.”

State prosecutor Shaun Abrahams,yesterday, presented new evidence – an affidavit claiming Okah had instructed his co-conspirators to buy the two cars that were to be used in the October 1 twin car bombs that killed 12 people and injured 36 others.

The State also alleged Okah’s cellphone records revealed he had been in contact with Chima Orlu, one of the men currently wanted by authorities for the attacks.

Okah’s lawyer, Rudi Krause, asked the State to supply him with copies of cellphone records used as evidence to link the 45-year-old father of four to the Independence Day car bombings.

Meanwhile, Okah’s wife, Azuka, found herself on the wrong side of the law during her husband’s bail application in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

When Azuka Okah’s cellphone rang during her husband’s bail hearing, Magistrate Hein Louw ordered the court inspector to send her to the court holding cell.

However, Azuka Okah, pointed the inspector to her driver who was seated in front her and he was sent to the court jail instead.

When her driver was called to stand before the court, Azuka Okah claimed responsibility for the interruption.

Louw said: “She wilfully disturbed the court. My court is like Park Station.”
But Henry Okah’s defence lawyer, Rudi Krause, pleaded with Louw for leniency in dealing with the matter. He said: “I have never seen my court this busy. Reporters are going in and out of my court, and I have warned people to switch off their phones.”

He said that he understood that Azuka was under a lot of pressure, but could not accept the court being disrupted.

Krause explained that Azuka always had her phone off and that it was his fault that she switched it on. He added: “I was trying to get hold of her on her cellphone and I tried a number of times and could not talk to her.”

Eventually Azuka phoned Krause back and he asked her not to switch off her cellphone again.

The charges against her were not clear, but her case was postponed to Friday.
Meanwhile, Henry Okah’s bail application was postponed for judgment in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Magistrate Hein Louw said: “This is one of those cases where I need time to carefully consider all the factors.” He postponed the case to November 9.

However in his closing argument, defence lawyer Rudi Krause maintained that the prosecution had yet to produce evidence linking Okah directly to the crime. “The content of the (State’s) affidavit is not true,” Krause earlier read Okah’s affidavit to the court.

If the State possessed incriminating evidence against his client, it would have taken the opportunity to produce such evidence while Okah testified in the case.

He urged the court to grant Okah bail as he had been in prison for a month. If bail was denied Okah would have to wait for up to two years before his trial could resume.

In opposing the bail, State prosecutor Shaun Abrahams said he had applied for refugee status as he was living illegally in South Africa.

“He is also afraid that Nigerian authorities may apply for his extradition, Abrahams said in closing argument in Okah’s bail application.

He said that the State had a strong case and was confident that Okah would be convicted when the matter went to trial.

Okah’s bail application has lasted seven days

The case drew attention to Okah’s diary entries which included a “shopping list” of high-calibre weapons. “We need heavier equipment and money,” an excerpt from his diary read.
The State believed Okah was a well connected and dangerous man and his release could not only put South Africa, but the international community at risk.
Abrahams told the court that Okah orchestrated the attacks from South Africa. He further claimed he was a leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the .
The fact his wife Azuka Okah had referred to him as the leader of the group was evidence Okah was still leading it.
The State also alleged cellphone data confiscated from Okah’s house revealed he had been in contact with his alleged co-conspirators in Nigeria.
An SMS sent to Okah by Chima Orlu (one of the main suspects in the bombings) read: “Done, tell them to leave”.

Source: vanguard News Nigeria

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Abuja Bombing: Okah gave orders to Militants – Prosecutors

by Nigerian Information Directory on October 22, 2010 · 0 comments

in Politics

South African prosecutors said yesterday that Henry Okah gave orders to buy the cars used in the October 1 bombings and rig them with explosives. Okah, the alleged leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the () was arrested in Johannesburg on October 2, the day after the twin car bomb blasts, which killed 12 people near the Eagle Square.

“The accused gave instructions to purchase the cars used and load their boots with dynamite,” prosecutor Shaun Abrahams said at Okah’s bail hearing in Johannesburg, reading from an affidavit by the South African police’s lead investigator in the case.

Abrahams said Chima Orlu, the man the Federal Government believe supervised the attacks, contacted Okah by SMS immediately before the blasts and about two hours after.

Orlu, who is wanted in Nigeria, “acted on the instruction of the accused,” Abrahams said. He did not give details of Okah’s alleged exchanges with Orlu, saying the contents are still being investigated. Abrahams also said Okah was in contact by email with some of the nine people arrested in Nigeria after the blasts, and received a forwarded message from one of them that said, “Done, tell them to leave now”, at 4:25 pm, about five and a half hours after the bombings.

According to the affidavit, the explosions took place under the supervision of Chima Orlu, who is said to have acted on the instructions of Mr Okah. Mr Orlu’s telephone records show that he had been in contact with Mr Okah on numerous occasions leading up to October 1. Mr Okah is said to have sent text messages to Mr Orlu on 30 September 2010 at 12h 38:11pm, and on October 1 at 6h 02:39am, 7h 40: 20am, 7h 41:22am and at 7h 41:35 am. Mr Zeeman’s statement stressed that “of greater significance is that Mr Orlu sent an SMS to Mr Okah at precisely 10h 58:59 am on 1 October, 13h 13:01am and 13h 29:59pm on the same day.”

“There are also witness statements which implicate the accused as having been the mastermind behind the attacks,” Abrahams said. He was speaking a day after the magistrate in the case told the prosecution the evidence it had presented in the week-long bail hearing was “vague”.

Source: Vanguardnewsngr.com

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Bomb scare in Zamfara ahead of Jonathan’s visit

by Nigerian Information Directory on October 12, 2010 · 0 comments

in Politics

There is palpable fear in Gusau, Zamfara State capital following a text message purportedly being circulated by members of the Movement for the Emancipation of the () that President should expect another bombing as he plans to commission electricity projects in the state.

The message was sent to a journalist with a national newspaper (not Daily Sun) and other prominent individuals in the state through the mobile number: +2348185474732 and reads unedited:

Attention, MEND being a strong body in the Niger Delta province and protesting against so called Jonathan …XE are ready die in the struggle at all cost the special message to d service is that we are very much aware of the Ebele visit to Zamfara possibly something will happen no body will stop it what happen on October 1, 2010 is real. Lets innocent shy away from d venue as we shall surprise Nigerians bomb is terrible innovation and we are afraid of it please advice people to distant themselves or lost life okey airport Zamfara govt house Zamfara

The text message came on the eve of the President’s visit to the state and there is panic among the people, especially, top government officials and security personnel.

It was gathered that as at press time special bomb squad had been deployed in areas within the state capital and the venue for the commissioning of the electrification project at Talata Mafara, which would connect Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States to the national grid.
It was further gathered that armed and plain clothes security personnel had been deployed in major streets in the state capital to provide adequate surveillance and security.

When contacted the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Zamfara command, ASP Sanusi Amiru said the command was aware of the security situation in the country and had drafted special squad on bomb disposal to ensure adequate security at the venue.
He advised the public to remain calm and not panic as policemen were on red alert.

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Government asks me to implicate North – Henry Okah

by Nigerian Information Directory on October 6, 2010 · 0 comments

in Politics

Henry Okah, the detained leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the () yesterday accused aides of President of trying to falsely persuade him to blame the Independence Day bombing in on northern politicians.

The MEND leader made this allegation Tuesday in an interview with Al Jazeera, the United Arab Emirates-based television station, conducted by telephone from the South African prison where he is being held on terrorism charges. He said that a “close aide” of the president had prevailed on him to urge the militant group to withdraw its claim that it was responsible for the bombings in which 16 people were killed and several others injured. “On Saturday morning, just a day after the attack, a very close associate of President Jonathan called me and explained to me that there had been a bombing in Nigeria and that President Jonathan wanted me to reach out to the group, MEND, and get them to retract the earlier statement they had issued claiming the attacks.”

According to him, “They wanted to blame the attacks on northerners who are trying to fight against him [Jonathan] to come back as president and if this was done, I was not going to have any problems with the South African government.”

Mr. Okah alleged that despite the promised reprieve, “I declined to do this and a few hours later I was arrested. It was based on their belief that I was going to do that that Jonathan issued a statement saying that MEND did not carry out the attack.”

The moved quickly to deny the politically damaging and potentially incriminating allegation, saying it was all made up by the militant leader. “This of course is an outright lie, and we challenge Okah to name the President’s aide that spoke to him on the subject. There is an ongoing investigation on Okah’s alleged involvement in the bombings in Nigeria. In South Africa, he has already been charged to court. He should face the charges, and stop making frivolous claims,” presidential spokesman Ima Niboro said in a statement.

He asked Mr. Okah to name the aide who spoke to him. “There is no question that Okah is a drowning man determined to pull others down with him, and there is hardly any purpose to be served by joining issues with an accused mass murderer. Okah is a man who has been known to say one thing and do another, and we are not at all surprised by his diversionary rhetoric.”

The allegation, which is certain to generate controversy, is lent some credence by Mr. Jonathan’s statement shortly after the blasts that MEND was not responsible for the dastardly act. He had said the bomb blasts were the work of a terrorist group hiding under the umbrella of the movement.

Mr. Jonathan had said, “We have contacted other members of MEND and they say they know nothing about it. Anybody that hides under the umbrella of MEND to carry out those acts will be exposed.” It is however unclear how the president came to this conclusion because at the time he cleared the group of responsibility investigations by security agencies were still ongoing.

The president’s statement also ran contrary to that of the group which claimed it was responsible and blamed the loss of lives on security agents. It said, ‘‘The irresponsible attitude of the government security forces is to blame for the loss of lives. They were given five days prior notice which led to the harassment of Henry Okah on Thursday (September 30) in South Africa.’’

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