http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5633191-146/prosecution_presents_evidence_against_okah_.csp

By Ruona Agbroko

October 21, 2010 11:43AM
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The Republic of South Africa has reopened its case against suspected terrorist Henry Okah today, following a ruling by presiding magistrate Hein Louw that he needed "something substantial" to come to a decision concerning Mr Okah's bail application.

Consequently, the prosecution presented evidence against Mr Okah in court this morning.

Prosecution lawyer Shaun Abrahams read a statement signed by the Police Services officer in charge of the investigation, Noel Graeme Zeeman, which said prior to the detonation of the two vehicle improvised explosive devices on 1 October in Abuja, two vehicles were purchased in Lagos on Okah's instructions.

Chima Orlu is said to have acted on the instructions of Mr Okah. Mr Orlu's telephone records show that on 1 October he made a total of 43 voice calls and sent 27 text messages to co-perpetrators and co-conspirators. Ben Ebere had been in telephonic and SMS contact with Okah right up to 29 september. There were 1126 calls from Okah to Ben Ebere aka Ben Jesse from 7 August to 29 September."

Mr Orlu was declared wanted by Nigeria's State Security Service after the blast.

getting more interesting . . .
we'd like some dates to go with this

and i do have to wonder though , the sss says the cars were driven from ph to abuja

why buy the cars in lagos then ?

anyway, lets see

Seriously is this the new evidence they have?

Okah made 43 voice calls to one of the suspects. Does that prove anything?

I can not believe that our SSS can not provide a very credible evidence to nail Okah who actually could be responsible for these bombings. If they can not produce evidence of recorded telephone conversations with Okah instructing the bombers on what to do, or something very concrete the South African Judge will release Okah. South Africa is a serious country and not this our very backward Nigeria.

Okah by exchanging 43 voice calls is as guilty as anyone who has spoken to the bombers on phone and this may include their grandmothers and sisters in the village. 43 voice calls and 20 text messages does not prove anything.

Shame on Nigerian SSS and their intelligence gathering. This is really embarassing as Okah's lawyer said.

Shame on Nigerian SSS and their intelligence gathering. This is really embarassing as Okah's lawyer said.

those eejits would not have picked up charles okah if not for newspaper accounts of okah snr's diary entry and their report that the last jomo gbomo mail originated from lagos

experts indeed

This is still only a bail hearing and not a trial so all they have to do is just establish a connection between okah and the bombers ie just prove the guy is dangerous enough to be kept behind bars. Even if okah eventually makes bail, he is still far from being a free man.
Cut the guys some slack, if the CIA were that good would there have been any need for Guantanamo?

@mikeansy

You funny die. see yarns. kai i fear fear. Even in the most advanced democracies with the best human rights pedigree, this will be enough to detain okah, pending further inverstigation.

So if Okah had phone/text exchanges of this magnitude with the actual bombers, you think the SSS does not have the contents of these messages? Though they have not made the names of the arrested suspects public, it is looking clearer that these guys are already in custody of the SSS. Wait na, no rush, small small everything go come out.


This likeness a lot of forumites suddenly now have for okah, all because they dont like GEJ is laughable.

mikeansy:

Seriously is this the new evidence they have?

Okah made 43 voice calls to one of the suspects. Does that prove anything?

I can not believe that our SSS can not provide a very credible evidence to nail Okah who actually could be responsible for these bombings. If they can not produce evidence of recorded telephone conversations with Okah instructing the bombers on what to do, or something very concrete the South African Judge will release Okah. South Africa is a serious country and not this our very backward Nigeria.

Okah by exchanging 43 voice calls is as guilty as anyone who has spoken to the bombers on phone and this may include their grandmothers and sisters in the village. 43 voice calls and 20 text messages does not prove anything.

Shame on Nigerian SSS and their intelligence gathering. This is really embarassing as Okah's lawyer said.

and when they provide the evidence they will come and tell you.
take a long look at your post and see how appalling it is.
you are whining.

even if they bring evidence of okah rigging a bomb you will still whine!

@Mikeansy:

you don't think 43 voice calls and 27 messages to a terrorist group, not withstanding the content is enough to establish a strong link?

even if the contents of all the voice calls had been mere pleasantries, the prosecutors could lay claim that those pleasantries are highly decoded messages and then go on to request that the Judge deny you bail till they find out the motive behind those calls.


Its too early in a trial to provide recorded calls, and even such might be unavailable, given laws protecting private lives of individuals. . .even the CIA is not in possession of the phone calls of all American citizens.

bookface:

@Mikeansy:

you don't think 43 voice calls and 27 messages to a terrorist group, not withstanding the content is enough to establish a strong link?

even if the contents of all the voice calls had been mere pleasantries, the prosecutors could lay claim that those pleasantries are highly decoded messages and then go on to request that the Judge deny you bail till they find out the motive behind those calls.

It establishes a relationship but does not establish it definitely has anything to do with October 1 bomb blast in Abuja.

Which is exactly what the Judge is talking about when he talks about embarrasing vagueness of the evidence from Nigeria.

Quite frankly I am not a fan of Henry Okah. I have seen armed robbers, terrorists who at least have honour and understand what comradiery means. Henry Okah has no honour and only thinks through his pockets and I have never liked any bit of him. But I do recognise he is a cunning operator.

I am only ashamed of the laziness of the SSS. This is why they respond to conjectures and started their investigation by arresting campaign managers instead of chasing terrorists.

mikeansy:

It establishes a relationship but does not establish it definitely has anything to do with October 1 bomb blast in Abuja.

43 phone calls between a well known militant leader with history of encouraging violence and sabotaging governmental infrastructure and co-perpetrators and co-conspirators of the blast within a very little time frame establishes a lot of connection.

Not to talk of evidence found in his diary which shows strong motive and intentions to carry out terrorist acts, and his self testaments of how he wouldn't rest till the Nigerian government falls---

with all these, i doubt any serious judge will allow such an individual to walk free on the streets in South Africa

mikeansy:


I am only ashamed of the laziness of the SSS. This is why they respond to conjectures and started their investigation by arresting campaign managers instead of chasing terrorists.

I wouldn't be so quick to start throwing rocks at the men of the SSS.  It is only appropriate they move and work fast with all details and information available to them,  . .and this they did by checking phone connections, money transfers, personal relationships, and then establishing motives as they move on.

If they have links pointing to a particular direction, it is only expedient that the move in that direction, and fast too!. . .

Frankly speaking, the state of art of technology in Nigeria is deplorable, and i don't think the SSS deserves the right to be blamed for that. In sane countries, stronger investigations is aided by highly advanced technology and street cameras. . . but those guys are not equipped with those, all they had to work with is information, common guys, give em some credit!

bookface:

43 phone calls between a well known militant leader with history of encouraging violence and sabotaging governmental infrastructure and co-perpetrators and co-conspirators of the blast within a very little time frame establishes a lot of connection.

Not to talk of evidence found in his diary which shows strong motive and intentions to carry out terrorist acts, and his self testaments of how he wouldn't rest till the Nigerian government falls---

with all these, i doubt any serious judge will allow such an individual to walk free on the streets in South Africa

The court of law does not recognise conjectures. If there is no compelling evidence on the sort on conversation that may have tranpired between this two. Number of calls alone will not be admitted as evidence to keep Okah in Jail as it does not prove anything.

The South African Government will not luck up Okah for no reason while the Nigerian Government goes to look for evidence.

mikeansy:

The court of law does not recognise conjectures. If there is no compelling evidence on the sort on conversation that may have tranpired between this two. Number of calls alone will not be admitted as evidence to keep Okah in Jail as it does not prove anything.

The South African Government will not luck up Okah for no reason while the Nigerian Government goes to look for evidence.

You have said it all!

Judge threatens to grant Okah bail
, As S/African prosecution fails to prove case
From AMOS DUNIA, Abuja
Thursday, October 21, 2010


• Okah
Photo: Sun News Publishing
More Stories on This Section

The bail application of suspected Abuja bombing mastermind, Henry Okah took a dramatic twist yesterday when the State failed to produce substantial evidence linking him to the twin car bombings that killed 12 people in Abuja. Magistrate Hein Louw told the State that it had not brought forward evidence directly linking Okah to the crime.
“The State’s evidence is vague,” he said.

Okah’s defence lawyer also dared the State to produce any phone call, or e-mail which linked his client to the bombings.
State prosecutor Shaun Abrahams said the State had intentionally withheld this information as its investigation was in its infancy.

“You are damned if you do, you are damned if you don’t,” Louw told Abrahams. “I do understand your predicament,” he added.
Louw put an ultimatum to the State, saying that it should either reopen its case or allow him to pass judgment in the bail application. Abrahams then told the court that the State would apply for its case to be reopened.

“I will grant the State (permission) to reopen its case, but I will deal with this matter tomorrow morning. Should the State not be able to lead new evidence, I will deem it closed,” said Louw.
The matter was postponed to today. Okah faces charges of engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to engage in terrorist activity, and delivering, placing and detonating an explosive device.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/newsonthehour/2010/oct/21/newsbreak-21-10-2010-001.htm

Quote:

Prosecution says Ben Ebere (a.k.a Ben Jesse) had 1126 calls with Henry Okah from 7 August to 29 September. Court now in recess

live Update from 234next.com

Of course this also proves nothing cos they were only probably discussing family matters abi mikeansy?

mikeansy:

The court of law does not recognise conjectures. If there is no compelling evidence on the sort on conversation that may have tranpired between this two. Number of calls alone will not be admitted as evidence to keep Okah in Jail as it does not prove anything.

The South African Government will not luck up Okah for no reason while the Nigerian Government goes to look for evidence.

Its a bail hearing, you don't require strong evidence for that.

what you need is to be able to prove that the accused, if granted bail, could pose threat to lives of other individuals. . .or might jump bail. . .or could destroy evidence and the impede ongoing investigations.

an individual with over 43 calls and 27 text messages to a terrorist group within a short time frame can be seen as a threat!

got this from the next website, makes sense!!!!

Posted by Mazi Ebere on Oct 21 2010
All doubting thomases,Yoruba talk say, witch cry for night, baby die for morning, na who no know say na the witch na im kill the pikin. Bin Laden didn't need to be in the USA to command the 9/11 attack.

And what evidence did the CIA produce before they labeled bin laden the man behind September 11 abi no be false evidence/report american take attack Iraq. 

This little evidence is just for him to still be in the custody for now and i even wish they bring him home immediately self.

^^ What evidence? Certainly something more than 43 voice calls and 27 messages.

i guess people dont understand this is just a bail hearing and not the trial itself. all the prosecutors need now is prove why the bail should be denied. you dont just go unleashing all the arsenals you have yet especially when it could be tampered with if the suspect is on bail.

i'm sure whn lawyers exchange briefs on both prosecution an defense evidences, we'l hear moooree.

lets nt jump the gun just yet

My observations.

Chima Orlu-Igbo name

Jesse Ebere-Igbo name

Deviation by FG from the real issue which is to prove that the bombing was not carried out by MEND.

Henry Okah is being tried as MEND leader while Ben and Chima are MEND members.

All MEND members need to be tried as well.Selective justice is no justice.They should also provide real evidence for the trial and not phone calls and text messages.

Abagworo:

My observations.

Chima Orlu-Igbo name

Jesse Ebere-Igbo name

Deviation by FG from the real issue which is to prove that the bombing was not carried out by MEND.

Henry Okah is being tried as MEND leader while Ben and Chima are MEND members.

All MEND members need to be tried as well.Selective justice is no justice.They should also provide real evidence for the trial and not phone calls and text messages.

Keep blabbing, U're yet to make any sense!

wesley80:

Keep blabbing, U're yet to make any sense!

Stop insulting ppl. If you are really bent on defending a goofing presido, come show what you've got on this thread:
https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-535896.0.html

Respect

Update!

Consequently, the prosecution presented evidence against Mr Okah in court this morning. Prosecution lawyer, Shaun Abrahams, read a supplementary affidavit signed by the Police Services Officer in charge of the investigation, Noel Graeme Zeeman, which said prior to the detonation of the two vehicle-improvised explosive devices on 1 October in Abuja, two vehicles were purchased in Lagos on Mr Okah's instructions.

According to the affidavit, the explosions took place under the supervision of Chima Orlu, who is said to have acted on the instructions of Mr Okah. Mr Orlu's telephone records show that he had been in contact with Mr Okah on numerous occasions leading up to October 1. Mr Okah is said to have sent text messages to Mr Orlu on 30 September 2010 at 12h 38:11pm, and on October 1 at 6h 02:39am, 7h 40: 20am, 7h 41:22am and at 7h 41:35 am. Mr Zeeman's statement stressed that "of greater significance is that Mr Orlu sent an SMS to Mr Okah at precisely 10h 58:59 am on 1 October, 13h 13:01am and 13h 29:59pm on the same day."

Mr Zeeman's affidavit adds that Mr Orlu "made a total of 43 voice calls and sent 27 text messages to co-perpetrators and co-conspirators."

Mr Orlu was declared wanted by Nigeria's State Security Service after the bomb blast.

The affidavit also states that Ben Ebere had made voice calls and SMS to Mr Okah right up to 29 September. "There were 1126 calls from Okah to Ben Ebere, aka Ben Jesse, from 7 August to 29 September," stated Mr Zeeman. Mr Okah also sent 59 text messages to Ben Ebere from 1 July 2010 to September 2010.

It was also revealed that e-mails between Mr Okah and arrested suspects John Tarmy and First Man were being investigated. One in particular read: "Done, tell them to leave now." According to the document, this email was forwarded from First Man to John Tarmy at 11:15 am on 1 October 2010 and forwarded the same day to Mr Okah at 16h 25:40.

Okah's attorney responds

Rudi Krause, lawyer to Mr Okah, took time off to consult with his client and then filed an affidavit stating that he would not be able to refute the allegations presented by the prosecution unless he was provided with printouts of the telephone records, text messages, cell phone memory and the hard drive from Okah's computers which the State used in making up its case. He suggested that the evidence put before the court had been fabricated.

At this point, Judge Louw pointed out that the cell phone and computers were Mr Okah's, and seized from his own home, which "precludes the state from fabricating evidentiary material."

Mr Krause, in resuming his reading of his client's affidavit, said Mr Okah had no knowledge of Chima Orlu and Ben Jesse, but had received information that Ben Jesse used cell phone number 08039945640 and he (Mr Okah) therefore couldn't access his call records to cross-check this information, as his cell phone had been seized by the police.

But prosecution lawyer, Shaun Abrahams maintained that; "we can give copies of what was seized from him (Mr Okah), and not what was obtained in the course of the investigation." He also pointed out that Mr Okah "miraculously produced a telephone number for Ben Jesse, after saying he didn't know Ben Jesse during cross-examination."

Judge Louw subsequently ruled that the State would go through Mr Okah's request and adjourned the matter till tomorrow, 22 October.

I have a feeling Okah will continue to lie. . and then more evidence will be produced!

Abagworo:

My observations.

Chima Orlu-Igbo name

Jesse Ebere-Igbo name

Deviation by FG from the real issue which is to prove that the bombing was not carried out by MEND.

Henry Okah is being tried as MEND leader while Ben and Chima are MEND members.

All MEND members need to be tried as well.Selective justice is no justice.They should also provide real evidence for the trial and not phone calls and text messages.

Just hope you are not really as daft as your coment seems to imply. This is a trail and not a hearing and all you need to do at this stage is establish strong link ( if any) between Henry Okah and the suspected bombers and convince the judge of the need to keep him behind bar ( which in Henry Okah's case can  be done by refering to his criminal histroy)

jabbok:

Stop insulting ppl. If you are really bent on defending a goofing presido, come show what you've got on this thread:
https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-535896.0.html

Respect

So I went, , And found out its a No - Go - Area!

So I'm staying here. If e dey pain u Go jump 4 lagoon

Most guys here that are blabbing now were the same people accusing sss of beating about the bush when ben jesse and orlu were declared wanted and later okah was arrested.

Their argument then was that: is it no longer ben jesse and orlu? Why is it okah and dokpesi?
Now that they can see that there is connection between all these people, it is now: the evidence is weak!

Nigerians, when shall slow down on senseless cricticisms?

Most guys here also said then that Ben Jessy and Chima Orlu are fabricated names, no one is still talkin about that.

Government exonerated MEND and accussed northerners,why then are they trying Okah and not northerners?Framing texts like "done,tell them to leave now" cannot deviate the fact that FG initially tried accusing northerners.

^^

and ow do you arrest "Northerners", pls tell, I'm keen to learn!. . .arrest everyone in North?

I would have tot in a situation like this it is only expedient that you build up evidence, . . .if truly Northern elements were involved, they most likely didn't arm the vehicles, okah and his cronies must have been paid to do that-----no let's get Okah, and he'd lead us to his handlers, kapish?

Abagworo:

Government exonerated MEND and accussed northerners,why then are they trying Okah and not northerners?Framing texts like "done,tell them to leave now" cannot deviate the fact that FG initially tried accusing [size=15pt]northerners[/size].

How old are you? why will people not shout you down if you keep making childish claims like this?

Kindly provide links where FG accused northerners of the bomb blast.

na_so:

How old are you? why will people not shout you down if you keep making childish claims like this?

Kindly provide links where FG accused northerners of the bomb blast.

I am really amazed because so many peoples hatred for goodluck has turned them to something else.

I am also waiting for that evidence as well . . . . Nigeria will not be the same after this upcoming election.

I really fear for the future oooo.