Henry Okah Challenges Conviction In South Africa
The self-acclaimed leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Henry Okah, Tuesday challenged his trial and conviction at the South African Constitutional Court, in a last-ditch attempt to walk away as a free man.
Mr Okah was sentenced to 24 years’ imprisonment in 2013 after being convicted on 13 counts of terrorism, including engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to engage in terrorist activities, and delivering, placing, and detonating an explosive device in 2010.
On appeal, the sentence was reduced to 20-years in 2016.
Today’s challenge at the Apex Court is claiming that his trial was not fair based on the dictates of the South African Criminal Procedures Act.
He is also questioning the constitutionality of the Anti-terrorism Act under which he was tried and convicted with regard to matters of jurisdiction.
