Mr. Henry Okah
From Ahamefula Ogbu in Abuja
The Presidency has described as false and mere tissue of lies, reports in the media which alleged that former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has sworn to an affidavit implicating Nigeria in acts of terrorism in the October 2010 bombing at Eagles Square, Abuja.
A statement by the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said due to the fact that the case was pending before a South African court, no further statement on the issue would be made other than to deny Okah’s claim as false since it was subjudice.
At the appropriate time, he said adequate representation would be made to the court, and warned Nigerian media to be wary of the type of materials they use to avoid impugning the person and office of the President.
“The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to reports in the media of allegations made against President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in an affidavit said to have been sworn to by Mr. Henry Okah who is facing trial in South Africa for his involvement in terrorist acts against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Presidency categorically affirms that these allegations are false in their entirety and without any factual foundation. As the case of Mr. Okah’s involvement in the plotting and execution of terrorist attacks in Nigeria is already before a court of competent jurisdiction in South Africa, the Presidency does not intend to say anymore on the matter for now and will, in accordance with due process and international law, make a full representation on the matter to the court when the trial opens,” the statement state.
“The Presidency also advises the Nigerian media to respect the sanctity of the legal and judicial processes in this matter and avoid becoming willing tools in the hands of Mr. Okah and his agents in an entirely diversionary trial by the media aimed only at falsely impugning the character and integrity of the President and officials of his administration,” the statement said.