By Kayode Matthew, News Editor
A JOHANNESBURG court in South Africa will, today, commence the trial of former leader of Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, Mr. Henry Okah.

He is facing charges of allegedly masterminding the twin bomb blasts that almost marred the 50th independent anniversary celebrations of Nigeria in Abuja on October 1, an incident that led to the death of about 16 persons.

Prosecutors at the court charged Okah, who lives in South Africa, on October 4, with conspiracy to commit a terrorist act and detonation of explosive devices in Abuja.

The magistrate overseeing the court proceeding, Hein Louw said: “The accused is linked to the bombing that took place in Abuja” and described him as the mastermind of the Abuja bombings. Okah who was arrested in Johannesburg, Saturday, October 2, however, denied links to the blasts saying that his group was not responsible for the car bombings.

Okah, 45, was, however, not asked to make his plea to the charge and said nothing in court except to greet his lawyers.

His defence said he was innocent and that they would file an urgent appeal for him to be released on grounds of unlawful arrest. The court thereafter ordered him to be remanded in prison custody.

On October 7, Okah then applied to the South African Prison authorities to be held separately from other prisoners until his bail application is heard today.

His counsel, Mr. Rudi Krause, told the trial judge that “the prosecution has indicated they plan to oppose his release on bail, but I am confident our application will be successful.”He argued that Okah should be separated from the general prison population for his safety.

In the wake of the bomb blasts, the State Security Service, SSS, said nine suspects were arrested in connection with the blasts. Service’s spokesperson, Mrs Marilyn Ogar said that information was received on September 28 that the Three Arms Zone was to be bombed and that six vehicles had already been prepared for the purpose.

She said the security agency, in conjunction with the police and the military, immediately swung into joint operations, during which nine abandoned vehicles were evacuated from the area thereby foiling the original bombing planned for Wednesday, September 29, 2010.

Ogar said the overriding objective of the group was to scare foreign visitors from attending the 50th celebration on October 1.