Date Published: 11/04/10

Okah pleads for bail

Henry Okah

The trial of suspected terrorist Mr. Okah resumed today in a Johannesburg magistrate court with his attorney Rudi Krause making a case for his bail.

Mr. Okah had been furnished with copies of his telephone call and personal computer records as well as affidavits granted for his arrest and the search of his home by the South African Police Services (SAPS).

Okah also said that he recognised photographs shown to him by his wife of Chima Orlu as a man actually called Justin Malcolm Umejezie. He claimed that he gave Umejezie accomodation previously in South Africa and "Umejezie is well known to the Nigerian community".

Mr. Okah said he "broke off all contact" with Umejezie when he discovered he was a spy of the Nigerian Consulate in Illovo, Johannesburg.

In a related development, Mrs. Okah's contempt of court proceedings would also hold today.

Also, officials of the Technical Support Unit of the South African Police Services have been unable to give clear-cut reasons why copies of Okah's cellphone and computer hard drives were not provided within 3 working days as ordered by the Magistrate Hein Louw on October 22.

In an enquiry now holding into the matter, two officials gave different versions on the witness stand.

"The State misunderstood my order," Louw said in his ruling.

He said officers of SAPS were lying to the court. "It is patently clear that we are being misled as to why the copies were not made."

Magistrate Louw has therefore ordered two cases of perjury be opened against the officers involved.