The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has asked the Federal Government to allow an independent team to verify its claim that one of their their leaders, Henry Okah has not been killed.
They also said that they have appointed Mr. Femi Falana who they claimed has accepted the brief to defend Okah among a team that will comprise the International Red Cross and other agencies to verify the claim of the government that he was still alife.
A statement from MEND said Falana was chosen because he defended late Ken Saro Wiwa and is sufficiently prepared and willing to stand for Okah who they admitted was shot but still alive.
MEND blamed the stealth with which the Federal Government handled the extradition, torture and detention for the rumour over the alleged death of their leader accused of gun running and arrested in Angola in September last year.
�Mr. Femi Falana has accepted to legally represent Henry Okah and Edward Atatah. We are confident that Mr. Falana who also represented the late Ken Saro-Wiwa will ensure that justice and the rule of law triumphs�, they said.
Another militant group, the Joint Revolutionary Council also confirmed that Okah was alive but was shot in the stomach by a guard in what they said was accidental discharge while other sources said they suspected that he tried to escape and was shot.
The statement from Cynthia Whyte said, �Hours before, we received unconfirmed reports that Henry Okah, an Ijaw son was shot during interrogation by criminal agents of the Nigerian state, his death is unconfirmed at press time. He is believed to have been shot in the stomach by one of the interrogators after a harsh, intense and spirit raking investigation session.”
�However, we have also received reports (also not fully confirmed) that he received a bullet in the abdomen but did not die as reported. We will continue to watch and wait for unfolding revelations�, Cynthia Whyte said.
JRC said they suspected the arrest of Okah was planned by the major oil companies and other anti Niger Delta elements who they have assured would be paid back in due time.They called on all Ijaws to rise up and fight for their rights, pointing out those events in Kosovo should be their beacon of hope.
Feb212008