October 1 Bombing - Court Admits Evidence Against Charles Okah

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, admitted into evidence, exhibits that were tendered against the alleged mastermind of the 2010 Independence Day bomb blast, Mr. Charles Okah. The Federal Government entered the exhibits before the court yesterday through its lead prosecutor, Dr. Alex Iziyon, SAN.

‎Charles who is a younger brother to ex-leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, Mr. Henry Okah, was said to have conspired with other Niger Delta militants to kill President Goodluck Jonathan while Nigeria celebrated its 50th independence anniversary in Abuja.

He is currently answering to cases bothering on felony and terrorism alongside one Obi Nwabueze‎, with the court having earlier sentenced their co-accused, Edmund Ebiware, to a life imprisonment.

The bomb explosion had resulted to the death of twelve persons at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

‎At the resumed trial yesterday, FG called its first witness, Mr. John Afolabi, an exhibit keeper at the Department of State Services, who tendered14 exhibits that were admitted by the court.

Afolabi told the court that the items were retrieved by DSS investigators at scenes of investigation into the bombing incident.

The list of the items, an old Mazda 626 car with registration number LAGOS BY 318 FKJ, other military wears and camping materials, were among the exhibits that were admitted against the accused persons yesterday.

Other exhibits were10 camouflage bulletproof jackets; 30 black military belts; 21 black jungle booths; five green pairs of camouflage jungle booths; five pairs of brown camouflage jungle booths and 34 pairs of water bottle hostlers.

Justice Kolawole equally admitted another 10 camouflage vests; one big camp tent; one small camp tent; 34 green water bottles; 24 multi-colour water bottles; and assorted camp stands and hooks.

Justice Kolawole moved the proceeding out of the court room where he inspected the car that was allegedly used for the Independence Day bombing.

The accused persons were said to have also superintended over varying terrorist activities that hitherto took place within the oil rich Niger Delta region of the country, including the bomb explosion that rocked a post amnesty programme that was organised by Vanguard Newspaper in Warri, Delta State.

One of those alleged masterminds of the terrorist acts, Mr. Osvwo Tekemfa Francis, a.k.a ‘General-Gbokos’, died in prison custody.

Apart from a one-count charge with 22-particulars of overt acts of treason instituted against them, FG, alleged that they conspired with Henry Okah and one Emmanuel Allison to make a direct attempt to endanger the life of President Jonathan 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 also 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 added that a man lost his life because of that explosion.

Charles was said to have among other offences, 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 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 Niger Delta. (Vanguard)