Johannesburg – The South African government said yesterday that it would file additional charges against Henry Okah for his role in the October 1, 2010, independence day explosions which rocked Abuja.

Okah is being charged with delivery, placement and detonation of explosives in relation to the Abuja blasts which occurred during the 50th independence day celebrations.

He is also facing an alternative count of conspiracy.

At the resumption of the case on Monday at the Johannesburg Regional Court, State Prosecutor, Mr Shaun Abrahams, told the court that the state was adding charges of terrorism, terror financing and possible money laundering and will serve Okah by June 21.

He said the state planned to also charge Okah with the March 15, 2010, explosions in Warri, Delta,  in which one person died.

Abrahams asked the court to grant an adjournment to allow for further investigation to enable the state serve the charges on Okah.
Rudi Krause, Okah’s  counsel, did not object to the request.

Magistrate Hein Louw granted the request and ordered that Okah be remanded in prison custody.

Okah, who was arrested on October 2, 2010, in Johannesburg , first appeared in court on October 4, 2010.

He applied for bail but was denied.

The state said during the bail application, that it had evidence of phone calls and e-mail contacts between Okah and suspects held in connection with the explosions in Nigeria.