Ahamefula Ogbu
1 March 2008
Port Harcourt — The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has raised an alarm that the federal government has spurned the court order directing access be granted to their detained leader, Mr. Henry Okah alias Gbomo Jomo.
They have therefore threatened to commence contempt proceedings against the federal government for violating the order granting him access.
In a statement sent online, MEND said the continued holding of their leader in solitary confinement without access to his wife, lawyer, Doctor and Pastor was in direct contrast to the much vaunted adherence to rule of law.
They claimed that since the Abuja Federal High Court granted them an order for access to Okah, the law enforcement agencies have frustrated their efforts at seeing him, adding that they fear he was not well.
"The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) wishes to inform the world that the Nigerian government has blatantly refused to comply with an Abuja High court order of Monday, February 25, 2008 granting the lawyers and families of Henry Okah and Edward Atatah immediate access to them.
"The evasive attitude and contempt of court by the illegal regime of Umaru Yar'Adua has confirmed our fears for the duo in the government's so-called "safe custody".
"Today, Friday the 29th of February, lawyers representing the two men will file a contempt suit at the Federal High court, Abuja against the Nigerian government.
"A strong and respected judiciary is the last hope for justice in the Niger Delta ; so we are using this opportunity to call on the Nigerian Bar Association and the International Community to intervene and compel this hypocritical government to respect the rule of law or else there will be anarchy", MEND said.
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