Ijaw Leaders Petition South African President Over Henry Okah’s Continued Imprisonment
The Ijaw Nation Forum (INF), an organisation representing the Ijaw ethnic nationality, has petitioned South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, urging him to grant freedom to Niger Delta X--Agitator Henry Okah, who has been serving a 24-year prison sentence in South Africa since 2010. The group described Okah’s prolonged imprisonment as unjust and politically motivated, alleging that his conviction was influenced by external pressures rather than fair judicial consideration. They appealed to President Ramaphosa to demonstrate South Africa’s commitment to human rights, justice, and African solidarity by granting Okah his freedom. Okah, 60, was convicted by a South African court in connection with the October 1, 2010 incident in Abuja, which took place during Nigeria’s 50th Independence Day celebrations. The incident, which involved twin explosions near Eagle Square, which claimed 12 lives and left many injured. South African authorities charged Okah under the country’s an...
