Some leaders of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) at the weekend accused Rivers State Government of “Some degree of complicity” in the on-going trial of its leaders, Henry Okah and Edward Attatta at the Federal High Court, Jos.
But in a swift reaction the State Government dismissed the claim as cheap blackmail.
The militants, who spoke with The Nation on phone expressed surprise why no governor from the south-south had kicked against the decision to try the duo in secrecy. They also argued that the trial should have been done in the south.
“There seems to be an understanding that borders on conspiracy between the federal government and the south-south governors, particularly Rivers Government, on the trial.
“But we have resolved to take out time to carefully investigate our suspicion before knowing what to say. That is why you will observe that everywhere is calm”, one of them offered.
He hinted that the group was perturbed over reports that Okah and Attatta were being kept in communicado, while their whereabouts had been kept close to the chest of the federal authorities.
“We are having a feeling that so much were being done to weaken their spirit. The government is only being over-zealous in its approach, but we are watching keenly, he said.
But the Rivers State Government debunked the accusation, saying it has neither position on the matter nor understanding with anyone over the trial.
A source close to the state seat of power said the state did not bother wherever the duo were tried so long justice was done.
“I can tell you that accusation can’t be true. As far as I know the only concern of the State Government is to ensure they (Okah and Attatta) are given a fair hearing. We want justice to be done, and that’s all,” he explained.
The governor’s aide was surprised that the militants singled out Rivers for such accusation.
He further explained that Rivers had never been an operational base of Henry Okah.
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reports that Okah operated largely in Delta and Bayelsa states. The two States were expected to have shown greater interest in the trial.
Okah and his compatriot are facing charges of gunrunning and trafficking in arms at the Federal high Court, Jos in Plateau State.
Their lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana had decried last week the approach being employed by the government in the trial. He described it as “barbaric.”
Falana berated the government over what he termed “trying to conduct criminal trial in the absence of the accused person.”
“Government has called my client names such as gunrunning, treasonable Felony, trafficking in arms etc. The question I keep asking is why they are calling for a secret trial for an offence that is well known to everyone,” he said.
Falana insisted that as far as he was concerned, no clear charge has been preferred against Okah, and condemned the decision to