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 freedom fighter 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 anti-terrorism laws, accusing him of masterminding the attacks from Johannesburg. He has consistently maintained his innocence, insisting that his trial was politically motivated and aimed at silencing voices advocating for the rights of the Niger Delta people.

The petition further emphasized that Okah played a vital role in the Niger Delta peace process and should be recognised as a voice for justice and equality, not a criminal. 

It called for his “prompt, unconditional and safe release,” arguing that South Africa’s prosecution was unlawful since Nigeria did not formally lodge a complaint.

“The arrest, trial and imprisonment of Mr. Okah constitute a hostile and unwarranted intervention by South Africa in an armed conflict that unfolded within Nigerian territory,” the group stated.

The petition was signed by leading Niger Delta figures including Alfred Diette-Spiff, the traditional ruler of Brass and a former Rivers State governor, and Felix Tuodolo, a founding member of the Ijaw Youth Council. It was submitted on behalf of the forum to the South African Presidency by Kabowei Akamande, an Ijaw activist based in the United States.

The Ijaw group claimed Okah was wrongfully arrested by South Africa’s Directorate of Priority Crimes (the Hawks) under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act (POCDATARA). They argued that under the law, only Interpol had the authority to carry out such an arrest.

The petition further alleged that in his 15 years in custody, Okah has suffered “extreme psychological and physical torture,” leaving him with lasting facial deformities, while his family has faced harassment and loss of property.

The INF also drew parallels with South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, criticising the African National Congress (ANC) government for siding with “the suppression of the oppressed people of the Niger Delta.”

We find it deeply ironic and disturbing that an ANC-led government born out of its own history of armed struggle would now partake in the repression of the Niger Delta people,” the petition stated. “Imagine, for instance, how it would have been perceived if the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe had been arrested and prosecuted in another African nation for acts committed during the fight against apartheid.

While stressing that it does not condone violence, the group defended Okah’s agitation as part of the Niger Delta’s longstanding struggle for self-determination, environmental justice and a fair share of oil revenues.

The petition renews focus on the unresolved grievances in Nigeria’s oil-producing region, where agitation for resource control have periodically threatened national oil output.

By taking the case to Ramaphosa, the Ijaw group is not only challenging the legitimacy of Okah’s conviction but also reviving wider questions about how Nigeria addresses dissent in the Niger Delta a region whose stability remains critical to the country’s economy.

Signatories:

__________

HRM King Oweipa Jones-Ere (JP)

Ogboin III, Ogboin Ebe Nana Owei

HRM King Alfred Papapereye Diete-Spiff,CFR, DF Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, Seriya II

 HRH Diepreye Amadein

Gbayekoko Il of Tamazo

High Chief Dame Julie Okah-Donli

Chief Duduku Panyan Dennis

Chief Siliwari Frenchpo

Angala Il Lobia 2

Chief Benebragha Suoye Amakereowei of ljubudumu

Felix Tuodolo, PhD Pioneer President, ljaw Youth Council, 1998-2001

Capt. Albert Oti (Rtd.)

Udengs Eradiri President, ljaw Youth Council, 2013-2017 

DaCosta Ekemuya Adowei,

High Chief Denzil Amagbe Kentebe.

Chief Johnson S. Akparakpa

Ogbodo IV of Lobia 

Hon. Ebieridei Charles Ambaiowei 

MNSE Former Acting President, ljaw National Congress

Chief Godbless Ayabakari

Aiti Il of Lobia 

Chief Barazi S. David

Agbobu IX of Lobia I

Alaowei (Dr) Oyeinfie E. Jonjon

President, ljaw Youth Council, 2004-2007

Ben Amaebi Okoro

Moderator of ljaw Nation Forum

Kabowei Akamande

Daniel Wilson

Prince Deinbofa Ere

Tonye Clinton Jaja, PhD

Prof. Sabella Ogbobode Abidde

Pete Okah

Pereyi Sharon Gilbert Apreala

Ebi Preye Okosi

Ms, Ebikienmo Allen

Michael Iniruo Esere

ThankGod Abah

Tari George

Pandei Perye

Odoni Ziwaranto

Alwell Dagogo'

Jerry Allapota

Patience Ayibatari

Pagaebinyu Ebit

Bishop Michael Amamieye

Mrs. Pamela Bischof

Eniye Olobo

Omiete Wiliam-West

Ebimiefagha lbomo

Owei George

Mrs. Diepreye Oyazimugha

Oyowah Indutimi

Timi Koru

Ms Precious Newman

Ebitei Nichodemus

Aleibiri Inaira

Joshua Aliaputa

Augusta Douglás

Ms Udom Ayebaebi Chidinma

Atei Christopher

Elder Job Kenmi

Margaret ldoinung

Ms Nengi Celina Agama

Victor Tamarapreye

Akanate Young Inabriyai

Daniel Christian Esinte

Mrs Bassuo Margret

Ms Sawari Mary Oyindenyefa

Victor Isaiah

Kingsley Sabagha tkado

Kala Sabagha

Blessing lwobi'

Frank Agbai

Ms Tweingha Mathias Nyenye

Augusta Douglas

Ms Udom Ayebaebi Chidinma

Atei Christopher

Lydia Andrew 

Godfrey Abaje Timi

Bestman Temple

Inatimi Seigha

Selegha Jeke

Omie James 

Mrs Electric Tarelayefa Fakemebo

Mrs Job Perenabo Princess

Mrs Bio Allen Fente

Omeremu Ayibatorudigiyo

Joshua Iruo

Moses Godgift Joseph Amaegberi

Dennis Okilo

Selewari Osuobeni

Teidor Timi

Felix Tukeye

Pereowei Bayour Preye

Ms Okuboere Bayour

Tari Ekiyor

Eneye Philip Asanakpo

Mrs Tari Nathan

Diepreye Inara'

Mrs Tarela Eunice

Bamiekumo Philip

Ms. Tamarawenefere Ekiyor

Joseph Timipere

FIt. Sgt. Angus Ebinimiowei Ekperi (Rtd).

Oghene Woke Ekiyor

Moses Godgift Joseph Amaegberi

Selewari Osuobeni

Dr. Ekpobomene Waritimi

Dr. Pius Obudou Waritimi'

Danniel Agwama

T Kingsley Aquwama Peide I

Doite Elemah

Tariebi Sunday

Ayibanoa Richard

Ayibadiote ikio

Gladstone Inifiyelate

Mrs Tarela Jane1

Filonis Ekiyor

Nelly Obiene 

Ekiyor Oyin Tokoni

Nathan Wilson

Inatimi Jubilee

Ebi David Ebi'

Andakuro John

Williams Obuza

Allen Wanaemi

Ms. Nancy Eferebo

Impaca Longjohn

Ms. Suoyo Inco

Owei Obed

Austin B. Jonah

Taribo Inatimi

Ms. Blessing Benjamin

Raphael Oruwort

Deborah Augustine

Nelly Obierie

Ekiyor Oyin Tokoni

Nathan Wilson

Owen James

Lucky Suobite

Ms. Biobarakuma Anthony

Easter Lawrence Pudei

Ms. Becky Nanyo

Theo Bara Moses

Telimoye Allen

Ms. Anita Inko

Steven Suobite

Steven Alfred Ojoko

Munasuonyu Victor

Ebitenye .Joshua

Ayiba Wilson

Ebimobowei Isac

Kemefah Ebi

Deintei Partricia 

Emi Allén 

Tombara Zipribo

Esere Toinpre

lleberi David

Priye Eisubo

Victor Doubara Ebi

Clariya Idubamo Suobo

Tonpribo T. Inko-Tariah

Pere Ebi

Dotimi Abel

Amaebi Charles

Braye Timi

Peremotei lleberi

Ebierimini Jacqueline lbomo

Alabo Inifie Jas-Spiff

Waikumo Sydney Appah

Ruby lwoyefa Nyananyo

Dr. Godwin Sidi