FG to withdraw case against Okah on Monday

FG to withdraw case against Okah today
Emeka Madunagu
The Federal Government is expected to file a nolle prosequi (notice to discontinue) on Monday (today), stopping the secret trial of the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, Mr. Henry Okah, at a Federal High Court in Jos.
Our correspondent gathered that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, would inform the court that government is no longer interested in prosecuting Okah for treason and gun-running.
At the last adjourned date on Friday, neither the prosecution nor the defence lawyers were present in court. On that day, the prosecution was expected to provide the court with government's plan for Okah's treatment for a kidney-related ailment.
The court presided over by Justice M. Liman had ordered government on July 3, 2009 to furnish the court with the information, after the prosecution had said that Egypt, Israel and Germany declined to receive Okah for treatment. The prosecution had informed the court that these countries declined on the grounds that they could not undertake to return him back to Nigeria after the treatment.
However, government is expected to discontinue with the case and fast-track Okah's release. A security source told our correspondent on Sunday night that the MEND leader had been moved to Jos for Monday's case.
After the proceedings, Okah will be returned to Abuja for a briefing on Tuesday with the State Security Service and the presidential committee on amnesty for Niger Delta militants to discuss the way forward.
The source said Okah would be released on either Tuesday or Wednesday.
The latest move came after a successful deliberation between government's negotiating team led by Aondoakaa and Okah's counsel led by Mr. Femi Falana in Abuja on Sunday (yesterday).
However, Punch source said the expected meeting between President Umaru Yar'Adua and Okah would no longer hold, but failed to give any reason for that.
When contacted for comments, one of Okah's lawyers, Mr. Wilson Ajuwa, said the defence counsel would be in court on Monday for the case. He confirmed that Okah's lawyers had heard that government was intent on discontinuing with the case, describing it as a welcome development.
"Yes, we will be in court on Monday," he said, and declined further comments.