A South African court rejected yesterday a bail appeal for Henry Okah, the Nigerian facing trial in that country for allegedly ordering deadly twin car bombings during the Independence Day celebration in Abuja.

Prosecutors say Okah is the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND.

He was arrested at his home in Johannesburg on October 2 last year, one day after the car bombs killed 12 people in Abuja, and has since been in custody.

Judge Flip Hattingh said the evidence against Okah pointed to a prima facie case and the court had “valid reasons” to deny the bail, dismissing the bombing suspect’s argument that he should be released on health grounds.

“He has denied involvement in the bombings despite evidence seized from his laptops, cellphone and diaries, linking him to the events in Abuja,” said Hattingh at Randburg Magistrates Court in Johannesburg.

“The regional court found him to be untruthful,” the judge added.

Okah has denied organising the October 1 attack and claims he has never been the leader of MEND, which claimed responsibility for the blasts.