Security operatives attached to Justice Gabriel Kolawole at the
Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday prevented Charles Okah, the
alleged mastermind of the 2010 Independence Day bombing, from committing
suicide in court. Mr. Okah, a brother to Henry Okah, the leader
of the Movement for the Emancipation Niger Delta, MEND, is standing
trial on charges of terrorism. He had sought the permission of
the judge on Tuesday to speak on what he termed “endless trial”, as his
counsel was absent in court.
The judge granted the oral application and permitted Mr. Okah to speak for about five minutes.
He said “I have been incarcerated for about five years now and I have a family to cater for.
“My children would grow up without feeling the warmth of their father and I am tired of this endless trial.
“I really do not know what I have done to be treated this way.
“Is it not better to die than to wait and be messed up this way?” he asked.
Immediately after Mr. Okah ended his speech, he grabbed a chair in the
court and quickly moved toward a window on third floor of the
five-storey building and attempted to jump down.
He was immediately pulled back by security operatives, lawyers and other litigants from jumping.
Consequently, Mr. Kolawole adjourned the case to October 20 for continuation of trial.
Others charged in the case are Obi Nwabueze and Edmund Ebuware.
The fourth accused, Tiemkemfa Osuvwo, died in Kuje prison, while
Ebuwari has been jailed for life as his case was separately decided.
However, Messrs. Okah and Nwabueze have been facing long trial as a
result of the introduction of numerous injunctions from both the
prosecution and defence teams.
CREDIT: News Agency of Nigeria
FACEBOOK COMMENTS
Emeka Ikechukwu likes this.
Jesse Osayande Vucinic Ehiagwina
The guy is frustrated na. 9ja go make things tire person.
Endy Edeson
@jesse:
late Ghanian nationalist Kwame Nkwuruma said: "those who make peaceful
change impossible make violent change inevitable" I believe in dialogue,
though it has not been confirmed if he committed the crime or not. the
thing is "PEOPLE SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM VIOLENCE" when in pursuit of
freedom or human right. how in the world should a person kill
others/bomb places as a measure to pursue peace. it's arrant nonsense.
Jesse Osayande Vucinic Ehiagwina
Its
nonsense but I've always maintained we will never know who was truly
responsible for that bombing cos the Govt chose to play. I followed
Henry Okah's trial in S.A and the man maintained the Govt (Nigerian) was
responsible. And normally when Govts do such acts you can never get the
culprits ala 9/11.
Obam Okpe Matthew
#Eddy pls OBJECTIVITY is the bedrock of JOURNALISM. PLS PRACTICE ONE
Endy Edeson
@obam: i didn't accuse anyone of anything. i only advocate for peace and not voilence.