Suspect says he was framed for Nigerian bombings
Tuesday 08 May 2012
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EmailThe alleged leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) has accused the Nigerian government of being behind a bombing in which he is to stand trial.
Henry Okah, who denies he leads Mend, will stand trial in South Africa where he was arrested for bombings in Abuja that killed 12 people during 2010 independence celebrations.
He alleges that the government worked with a faction of Mend to launch the attack to "create an anti-north sentiment nation-wide in order to galvanise support from other sections of Nigeria against northern candidates in the presidential elections" of 2011.
Mr Okah made the claim in a new request for bail on Monday.
A South African judge rejected an earlier bail request following evidence presented by the prosecution that they said bolstered accusations he masterminded the October bombings.
In his new request, Mr Okah argues that the state's assertions are not supported by its evidence of his phone calls and messages and emails.
He is charged under South African terror laws and Nigeria has not requested his extradition.
Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan said that "these allegations are false in their entirety and without any factual foundation."
The trial is set to start in October.
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