Constitutional Court reinstates Henry Okah’s 24-year term for bombings
On Friday, the Constitutional Court reinstated a 24-year prison sentence for a Nigerian oil militant convicted of a series of terror attacks in his home country eight years ago. Henry Okah was jailed in 2013 for masterminding a number of attacks, including twin bombings that killed 12 people in the Nigerian capital Abuja, during independence day celebrations in 2010. Okah’s appeal was first heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in 2014, which overturned four of his 13 terror convictions and reduced his sentence to 20 years, but the Constitutional Court overruled the decision. "The appeal against his entire conviction … is dismissed," the Constitutional Court said in its ruling. "The convictions overturned in the SCA must be reinstated together with the sentences the high court imposed." Okah had repeatedly denied any involvement in the blasts. Lawyers for Okah, who has been a permanent resident of SA since 2007, had argued it was outside the country’s legal jurisdiction to put ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.