Johannesburg – The Minister of Niger Delta, Mr. Godsday Orubebe, has said that Henry Okah is a well respected leader of the Movement of the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).
Orubebe disclosed this during cross examined by the defence lawyer, Tsitesi Majang on Tuesday at Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the ongoing trial of Okah for terrorist offences.
He said, “ Okah is the leader of MEND splitter group that is not interested in peace.
“As a Minister of Niger Delta, and a long time friend of Henry Okah, I can tell you that he is a well respected leader of MEND. I had direct discussions with all the militant groups and I know who their leaders are.
“Okah is a leader of a splitter group of MEND that is not interested in peace and the `Amnesty Programme’ of the Federal Government. People in his group look up to him for direction,” Orubebe said.
Orubebe will continue his evidence at the next adjourned date.
Earlier, the prosecuting counsel, Phindi Louw, told the court that 50 witnesses would be called.
“The state will also use audio recordings, visuals and cell phone records as evidence in the trial. “We believe that we have a
water-tight case against Henry Okah,” Louw said.
Okah had on Monday pleaded not guilty to the 13 charges read to him in the court.
South Africa government is trying Okah as part of its international obligation as Nigerian authorities have not applied for his extradition.
The trial continues on Oct. 3.(NAN)
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Okah is leader of MEND splitter group, says Orubebe