Henry Okah Bags 24years improsonment For Independence Day Bombing

Henry Okah has been jailed for 24 years by the South Gauteng High court in Johannesburg.

"Effectively, the accused (Okah) is therefore sentenced to 24 years imprisonment" Judge Neels Classen said has he handed down sentence.

On 21 January, Okah was found guilty on 13 counts of terrorism, including engaging i terrorist activities, conspiracy to engage in terrorist activities, and delievering, placing and detonating an explosive device.

The charges related totwo car bombs in Abuja, Nigeria, in which 12 people were killed and 36 injured on 1 october 2010, the anniversary of the country's independence.

The second bombing took place in warri on 15 of March at a post amnesty dialogue. One person was killed and 11 seriously injured.

In both bombings, two car bombs went off minutes apart in both places. The cars were packed in close proximity to each other.

Classen sentenced Okah to 12 years imprisonment for each of the bombings and 13 years for the threats made to South African Government after his arrest in 2010.


The 13years will run concurrently wih the 24 years.

In January, during the judgement Claassen said the State had proved Okha's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and his failure to testify meant the evidence agaisnt him was remained uncontested.

Okah has denied any involvement, claiming the charges agaisnt him were politically motivated.