Henry Okah appeals 24-year sentence in South Africa

Sentenced to 24 years in prison by a South African court, Henry Okah has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against his conviction for a series of terrorist attacks in Nigeria.

Henry Okah was convicted in South Africa in 2013 for organizing terrorist acts in Nigeria, including a double bombing that killed 12 people in the capital Abuja on the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence in 2010.

South Africa arrested, Okah who resided permanently on its soil, the day after the double attack yet Nigeria has not requested his extradition.

Henry Okah has always denied involvement in the attacks and says he was convicted for political reasons.

At the time of his arrest, he was suspected to be the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend), a movement that had claimed the Abuja bombings.

Mend was in conflict with the government of Nigeria demanding a better distribution of the oil wealth to benefit the people of the Niger Delta region in the south.

Henry Okah was also found guilty of organizing two bombings in March 2010 in the city of Warri, an economic hub in southern Nigeria.

By Felix Johnson, South Africa