Independence Day Bombing: Okah, Son, Testify

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The alleged mastermind of the 2010 Independence Day bomb blast in Abuja, Charles Okah, with his son, Boloebi Charles Okah, wednesday testified in his ongoing trial and three others over their alleged complicity in the terrorism act.

Okah, and his co-accused, Nwabueze, Edmund Ebiware and Tiemkemfa Francis-Osvwo (aka General Gbokos), who were arraigned before the Fedral High Court in Abuja on December 7, 2010, were accused of carrying out the bomb blast near Eagle Square in Abuja on October 1, 2010, which resulted in the death of about 12 people with several others reportedly injured.

Francis-Osvwo died later in prison custody, while another, Ebiware, who had his trial conducted separately, is serving life sentence upon his conviction in 2013, leaving Okah and Nwabueze to await trial.

At the resumed trial, Boloebi mounted the witness box as defence witness (DW2), while Okah was DW3.
Led in evidence by defence counsel, Samuel Zibiri, Boloebi, who told the court that he lives in Canada, admitted making his witness statement on oath on October 7, 2017.

Having identified the statement he sought to tender it in evidence, and the prosecution counsel, Alex Izinyon, raised no objection.

The witness statement contained Boloebi’s International passport, Delta Airline ticket and school fees receipt of Kansas University.

Upon cross examination by the prosecution counsel, the defence witness admitted that he did not attach his admission letter, the course he was given to study.

Boloebi also told the court that his father gave him the sum of $13,000 for expenses.
He stated that after his arrest and release by the Department of State Service (DSS), “I travelled to Canada because nothing incriminating was found on me.”

Okah also tendered his evidence in chief in a statement.
They include, office copy of proof of evidence between Federal Republic of Nigeria vs Henry Okah July 2008; photocopy of data passport of ECOWAS international passport issued to Henry Okah; photocopy of affidavit deposed to July 5, 2011, and a brochure.

The court admitted the documents in evidence and adjourned to October 24 for continuation of trial.