Breaking: Court Strikes Out Treason Charge Against Charles Okah

An Abuja based Federal High Court has dismissed one of the charges brought against the alleged mastermind of the 2010 Independence Day bombing, Charles Okah.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole struck the charge because prosecutors failed to prove that President Goodluck Jonathan, who was at Eagle Square, the target of the blast, was intimidated by the attack.

He said the evidence before him failed to prove that Mr. Jonathan was sneaked out of Eagle Square, venue of the 50th anniversary celebration of Nigeria’s independence.

Mr. Kolawole said the evidence did not prove a case of treason as contained in count one of the charge.

He also said the evidence cited by the prosecution failed to prove that governors who attended a meeting on March 15, 2010 in Warri, Delta State, where another blast occured, were also intimidated.

He however dismissed a no-case submission filed by Mr. Okah and other defendants. Mr. Okah is now being charged for terrorism only.

Charles Okah is a member of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) and the brother of Henry Okah who was the leader of the group.