Ex-militants move to free Okah, others
Former Niger Delta militants have begun moves aimed at stalling the trial of the alleged mastermind of the October 2010 bomb blast in Abuja, Henry Okah, and the release of those already convicted for the deadly act.
Already, the ex-militants under the aegis of The Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI), a forum of leaders of former agitators in the Niger Delta, have made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to consider a review of the ongoing trial of Mr Charles Okah and the conviction of Mr Edmund Ebiware, who was sentenced to life imprisonment over the October 1, 2010 bombing.
The group in a release signed by its president,’Pastor’ Reuben Wilson, and made available to Vanguard last night, urged the government to explore a political solution towards reviewing the conviction of Mr Henry Okah by the South African authorities over the same incident in Abuja.
This appeal is on the heels of the visit by the Presidential Committee on Prerogative of Mercy to some prisons in the country in order to grant amnesty to suspects incarcerated for various offences by the federal authorities.
The group’s action is also coming in the wake of the ceasefire declared by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), who have accepted to dialogue with the Federal Government through the Special Adviser on Niger Delta and Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, on pathway to lasting peace in the Niger Delta.
According to the group, “for us as former leaders of militant camps in the region, we cannot but commend the Committee on Prerogative of Mercy on one hand and MEND on the other for these initiatives that will usher in absolute peace in the land.
“We have always advocated for this and will support any sincere move that will promote peace in our region and country. This is the only way that the much needed development can be noticed and appreciated in the region.
“Our confidence in the person and ability of Hon. Kuku has never been in doubt. We believe he has the magic wand to handle matters of this nature.”