Okah's conviction: Ikeja NBA, Keyamo express divergent opinions

While Keyamo in a press statement released in Lagos on Monday stated that, "The decision of the South African Court that convicted Henry Okah this morning of charges relating to terrorism is politically motivated and legally incorrect", the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) called for the overhauling of Nigeria's justice system in order to speedy the dispensation of criminal cases in the country.


Mr Onyekachi Ubani, Chairman, NBA, Ikeja Branch, made the call while reacting to the conviction of Nigerian militant leader, Henry Okah, by a South African Court, for acts of terrorism.

Ubani told NAN that the major lesson Nigeria should learn from Okah's conviction was how to fast track the dispensation of justice in its legal system.

He said the Nigeria justice system was slow, ineffective and inefficient to meet the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian people.

 
"Former Delta State governor, James Ibori, was jailed by a UK Court, whereas the crime was committed in Nigeria.

"Now, Okah has been convicted by a South African Court for an offence also committed in Nigeria.

"This shows that there is something fundamentally wrong with our criminal justice system and it needs to be overhauled", Ubani said.


On his part, Keyamo said, "The fundamental flaw in the trial is that Henry 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 Henry Okah who are based here in Nigeria to testify on his behalf. These witnesses include some government officials".
 
 
Adding, "Whilst all Nigerians empathise with those who lost their lives and limbs in the October 1, 2010 bombing, it is wrong to convict anybody for it without due process. Henry has been convicted without due process".
 
"I condemn this judgment and call on Nigerians and the international community to condemn the trial and judgment of Henry Okah whose only offence was his refusal to accept the so-called amnesty offered by the Yar’Adua-Jonathan administration and his insistence on the Niger-Delta controlling its resources".

"With the recent condemnation of Jonathan by some militants who initially accepted the amnesty programme, I am sure they now know that Henry Okah was correct not to have accepted the poisoned chalice called amnesty.
 
The Nigerian government must immediately use all diplomatic efforts to ensure that Henry Okah does not die in a South African prison and for the South African government to grant him unconditional pardon. This is without prejudice to his right to appeal against the judgment", he further stated.


Okah was on Monday found guilty by the court of masterminding the 2010 Independent Day car bombing which killed 12 people in Abuja.

 
He was convicted by a Johannesburg High Court Judge, Neels Claassen, on a 13-count charge of acts relating to terrorism.