Since September 3rd, 2007, Henry Okah, a respected youth leader and so called “silent player” in the Niger Delta struggle was arrested in Angola on his way back to Nigeria from South Africa. The Angolan government, likely at the behest of the Nigerian government and the multi-national oil companies operating in Nigeria, detained Mr. Okah and his fellow traveler (Capt. Edward Atatah), under dubious pretexts. These included the possession of “incriminating literature”, gunrunning and the sponsoring of a coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea. Due to the absurdity of the manufactured cases, the charges were eventually thrown out of Angolan court.

After 5 grueling months in Angolan prison, where the two were beaten and denied access to counsel, it is believed that the prisoners were secretly and illegally extradited to Nigeria on February 14th, 2008. At current their exact whereabouts are unknown. Recent attempts by legal counsel to locate Mr. Okah and company have been repudiated by the Nigerian government, and the worst is feared. In a February 29th, 2008 communiqué, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) calls on the Nigerian Bar Association and the International Community to intervene and compel the backward Nigerian government to respect the rule of law. The group has repeatedly threatened reprisals against government, military and oil installations if proof of life for Mr. Okah is not made available. Lawyers representing the two men will file a contempt suit at the Federal High court in Abuja against the Nigerian government.

Henry Okah's brother has made available the attached letters that were smuggled out of Angolan jail before Okah and Atatah’s illegal deportation to Nigeria. Letter from Henry Okah | Letter from Capt. Edward Atatah

Past Reporting on MEND: Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta Declares War

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