No fanfare for independent Nigeria's 51st birthday

Nigeria's 51 st Independence Day was celebrated on 1 st October, but in a marked departure from the extravagant and elaborate celebrations of last year's 50 th Independence celebrations, the festivities this year were low-key, with little or no fanfare. The usual Independence Day parade at Abuja's Eagle Square did not take place. Instead, President Goodluck Jonathan chose to have a quiet celebration at the State House, Aso Rock villa.

It is widely believed that the reason for this year's quiet celebrations were the security risks posed by threats from both the Boko Haram militant Islamist sect and the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) military group, as well, of course, the legacy of last year's tragic bombing on Independence Day, which occurred close to Eagle Square, killing and injuring several people.

Responsibility for last year's bombing was claimed by MEND and this resulted in the arrest of Henry Okah – MEND's alleged leader – his brother Charles Okah and several others who are still undergoing trial. Some critics of the government, in particular the leading opposition party – Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) – have accused the government of cowardice for allowing terrorist organisations to scare it away from the usual Eagle Square venue of Independence Day celebrations.

The presidency insists that its decision not to have the Independence Day celebrations at the usual venue was not informed by security issues but by its desire to have a low-key and less extravagant celebration, following the previous year's extravagant festivities.

For more news and expert analysis about Nigeria, please see Nigeria Focus and Nigeria Politics & Security.

© 2011 Menas Associates

Charles Okah charged over kidnappings

The brother of Nigeria's main militant group the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) has been charged with kidnapping nine foreign oil workers. Charles Okah – brother of Henry Okah – and three other men have denied involvement in the kidnappings, which took place between August and October this year.

Charles Okah was charged last month over the Independence Day car bombings in Abuja. However, the Nigerian authorities believe it was his brother Henry Okah who masterminded the attack. Henry Okah has been refused bail in South Africa where he is currently detained.

In total, 19 oil workers were rescued this month. The Nigerian authorities said 63 people had been arrested in connection with the kidnappings. Charles Okah and his accomplices were accused of kidnapping four Indian, three French and two Russian citizens.

The recent upsurge in militant activity is believed to have commenced with the attacks on the capital Abuja, which killed 12 people on 1st October, as Nigeria was celebrating 50 years of independence from the UK.

Source: BBC News

For more news and expert analysis about Nigeria, please see Nigeria Focus and Nigeria Politics & Security.

Okah's defence says not enough evidence to convict

Henry Okah's defence lawyer Rudi Krause has said that the State has failed to bring sufficient evidence in front of the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court linking his client to the Independence Day bombings in Abuja.

Speaking at Okah's bail application, Krause said that the State did no provide enough evidence against his client because it “does not exist”. Krause insisted that the case against his client did not prove his involvement in the twin car bombings which left at least 12 people dead.

“Contradicting statements from Nigeria about who was responsible for the bombings should not be relied on as evidence,” said Krause.

Krause put forward that investigating officer Lt Col Graeme Zeeman, who conducted two search and seizure operations at Okah's home, without a warrant did so because he did not have “reasonable belief” that he would be granted the document.

Okah's defence said that the arrest and prosecution was an attempt by South African authorities to appease their Nigerian counterparts. Okah faces charges of engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to engage in terrorist activity and delivering, placing and detonating an explosive device.

Source: IOL

For more news and expert analysis about Nigeria, please see Nigeria Focus and Nigeria Politics & Security.

Charles Okah arrested in connection to Abuja twin bombings

Henry Okah's brother, Charles Ohak, has been arrested in Lagos in connection to the twin bombings in Abuja. The attack on 1st October, to celebrate Nigeria's 50th anniversary of independence, killed at least 12 people. Henry Okah was detained in South Africa shortly after the bombings and is facing terrorism charges.

Henry Okah, former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) has denied links to the Abuja bombings but prosecutors say he was the mastermind behind the attack. Okah left Nigeria for South Africa after being freed from prison in July 2009.

Mend had issued a threat saying it intended to target the independence event shortly before the two blasts. An email warning of another bomb attack in Abuja was sent on Saturday and signed Jomo Gbomo. Nigerian police believe that Charles Okah used the pseudonym Jomo Gbomo, "to threaten and cause confusion" in emailed statements.

Charles Okah was arrested during a raid on his home in Lagos on Saturday [16th October]. According to an unnamed source Charles Okah was "mentioned” by other suspects as a “source of funds for the blast”.

Source: BBC News

For more news and expert analysis about Nigeria, please see Nigeria Focus and Nigeria Politics & Security.

Dokpesi files lawsuit against Nigeria's secret police over bombings

Gen Ibrahim Babangida's election campaign chief Raymond Dokpesi has filed a lawsuit against Nigeria's secret police over his arrest in connection to the Independence Day bombings in Abuja. Dokpesi was one of nine people arrested over the twin car bombings, which killed at least 12 people. He is subsequently demanding $660,000 in damages.

Dokpesi, who owns the Africa Independent Television network, one of Nigeria's biggest, was freed approximately nine hours after being detained on 4th October. He says the arrest was "malicious".

Dokpesi is Gen Babangida's aide and is currently helping him run a campaign challenging President Goodluck Jonathan for the right to become Nigeria's governing party's presidential candidate. Upon Dokpesi arrested, police officials said they suspected him of exchanging text messages with the alleged mastermind behind the bombings, Henry Okah, who has been charged with terrorism offences in South Africa, where he is based.

Okah, former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend), has denied any links to the blasts, but an e-mail purportedly sent by Mend said it had carried out the attacks.

On Monday, another candidate for the People's Democratic Party nomination Atiku Abubakar called for an international inquiry into the Independence Day bombings to ensure the investigations were not manipulated for political reasons.

Source: BBC News

For more news and expert analysis about Nigeria, please see Nigeria Focus and Nigeria Politics & Security.