Okah, suspected bomber accuses judge of bias

Nnamdi Felix / Abuja

One of the alleged suspects in the 2010 Independence Day twin bomb blast in Abuja, Mr. Charles Okah, on Thursday accused Justice Gabriel Kolawole of a Federal High Court where he is standing trial, of being biased and teleguided by the Federal Government to convict him at all cost.

Charles who is the younger brother of Mr. Henry Okah, the alleged kingpin and mastermind of the twin bomb blast that rocked the federal capital city during national ceremonies marking the nation’s Independence in 2010, is being tried on charges of terrorism and acts calculated to intimidate the federal government, alongside Mr. Obi Nwabueze, Edmund Ebiware and Tiemkefa Osuvwo who later died in Kuje Prison.

Mr. Edmund Ebiware, however applied to be tried separately as he was only charged for having prior knowledge of the bombings but did not leak the information to security agencies to prevent its occurrence. He was later separately tried and convicted by Justice Kolawole ans was sentence to sentenced to life imprisonment.

On resumption of his trial Thursday, Charles Okah told his lawyer. Mr. Oghenovo Otemu, that he wishes to address the court himself. This was conveyed to the court and he was granted audience.

He accused the judge of bias and described his trial as a charade aimed at achieving a predetermined end.

Okah, whose health has been deteriorating following an alleged exposure to fumigation chemical in Kuje prison, was brought to court on a wheel chair. His lawyer claimed that Okah has not been receiving appropriate treatment at Kuje prison where he had been remanded since his arrest.

More than eleven people, including innocent children who came to witness the ceremonies marking the Independence day, died in the bomb blasts while many more were wounded.

The court, after hearing Okah’s allegation of bias, adjourned further proceedings to 19th and 20th June.