Rumours of the death of Charles Okah, an alleged mastermind of the October 1, 2010 bombing in Abuja began to circulate on social media this morning. The story, which made it to some blogs, reported that Okah passed away under suspicious circumstances in Kuje Prison, Abuja.
In response to enquiries from The Trent, the Nigeria Prison Service has issued a press statement, Wednesday, October 7, 2015 saying that Okah is “hale and hearty”, “alive” in the “safe custody” of the service.
The statement which is signed by Enobore O. Francis, Prisons Public Relations Officer urges Nigerians to discountenance the rumours because they are untrue.
In an appearance at a Federal High Court in Abuja, Tuesday, October 6, Okah reportedly attempted to commit suicide by jumping out of a sixth floor window in the courthouse. He was restrained by security officials from making the leap.
Okah is a brother to Henry Okah the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation Niger Delta (MEND). He is facing terrorism charges over the Independence Day bombing at Eagle Square, Abuja in 2010.
The MEND leader was convicted of masterminding the bombing in a South African Court in 2013. He was found guilty of 13 counts, including twin bombing on Nigeria’s 50th independence day that killed 12 people. He is currently serving a 24-year jail sentence in a South African prison.
In 2014, Henry Okah attempted a prison break.
