Ijaw Group Demands Okah’s Release, Petition Ramaphosa
Publish by Delta Event News
The Ijaw Nation Forum (INF), an organisation representing the Ijaw ethnic nationality, has petitioned South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, urging him to grant freedom to Niger Delta Activist Henry Okah, who has been serving a 24-year prison sentence in South Africa since 2010.
The group described Okah’s prolonged imprisonment as unjust and politically motivated, alleging that his conviction was influenced by external pressures rather than fair judicial consideration. They appealed to President Ramaphosa to demonstrate South Africa’s commitment to human rights, justice, and African solidarity by granting Okah his freedom.
Okah, 60, was convicted by a South African court in connection with the October 1, 2010 incident in Abuja, which took place during Nigeria’s 50th Independence Day celebrations. The incident, which involved twin explosions near Eagle Square, which claimed 12 lives and left many injured. South African authorities charged Okah under the country’s anti-terrorism laws, accusing him of masterminding the attacks from Johannesburg. He has consistently maintained his innocence, insisting that his trial was politically motivated and aimed at silencing voices advocating for the rights of the Niger Delta people.
The petition further emphasized that Okah played a vital role in the Niger Delta peace process and should be recognised as a voice for justice and equality, not a criminal.
It called for his “prompt, unconditional and safe release,” arguing that South Africa’s prosecution was unlawful since Nigeria did not formally lodge a complaint.
“The arrest, trial and imprisonment of Mr. Okah constitute a hostile and unwarranted intervention by South Africa in an armed conflict that unfolded within Nigerian territory,” the group stated.
The petition was signed by leading Niger Delta figures including Alfred Diette-Spiff, the traditional ruler of Brass and a former Rivers State governor, and Felix Tuodolo, a founding member of the Ijaw Youth Council. It was submitted on behalf of the forum to the South African Presidency by Kabowei Akamande, an Ijaw activist based in the United States.
The Ijaw group claimed Okah was wrongfully arrested by South Africa’s Directorate of Priority Crimes (the Hawks) under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act (POCDATARA). They argued that under the law, only Interpol had the authority to carry out such an arrest.
The petition further alleged that in his 15 years in custody, Okah has suffered “extreme psychological and physical torture,” leaving him with lasting facial deformities, while his family has faced harassment and loss of property.
The INF also drew parallels with South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, criticising the African National Congress (ANC) government for siding with “the suppression of the oppressed people of the Niger Delta.”
We find it deeply ironic and disturbing that an ANC-led government born out of its own history of armed struggle would now partake in the repression of the Niger Delta people,” the petition stated. “Imagine, for instance, how it would have been perceived if the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe had been arrested and prosecuted in another African nation for acts committed during the fight against apartheid.
While stressing that it does not condone violence, the group defended Okah’s agitation as part of the Niger Delta’s longstanding struggle for self-determination, environmental justice and a fair share of oil revenues.
The petition renews focus on the unresolved grievances in Nigeria’s oil-producing region, where agitation for resource control have periodically threatened national oil output.
By taking the case to Ramaphosa, the Ijaw group is not only challenging the legitimacy of Okah’s conviction but also reviving wider questions about how Nigeria addresses dissent in the Niger Delta a region whose stability remains critical to the country’s economy.
Signatories:
__________
HRM King Oweipa Jones-Ere (JP)
Ogboin III, Ogboin Ebe Nana Owei
HRM King Alfred Papapereye Diete-Spiff,CFR, DF Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, Seriya II
HRH Diepreye Amadein
Gbayekoko Il of Tamazo
High Chief Dame Julie Okah-Donli
Chief Duduku Panyan Dennis
Chief Siliwari Frenchpo
Angala Il Lobia 2
Chief Benebragha Suoye Amakereowei of ljubudumu
Felix Tuodolo, PhD Pioneer President, ljaw Youth Council, 1998-2001
Capt. Albert Oti (Rtd.)
Udengs Eradiri President, ljaw Youth Council, 2013-2017
DaCosta Ekemuya Adowei,
High Chief Denzil Amagbe Kentebe.
Chief Johnson S. Akparakpa
Ogbodo IV of Lobia
Hon. Ebieridei Charles Ambaiowei
MNSE Former Acting President, ljaw National Congress
Chief Godbless Ayabakari
Aiti Il of Lobia
Chief Barazi S. David
Agbobu IX of Lobia I
Alaowei (Dr) Oyeinfie E. Jonjon
President, ljaw Youth Council, 2004-2007
Ben Amaebi Okoro
Moderator of ljaw Nation Forum
Kabowei Akamande
Daniel Wilson
Prince Deinbofa Ere
Tonye Clinton Jaja, PhD
Prof. Sabella Ogbobode Abidde
Pete Okah
Pereyi Sharon Gilbert Apreala
Ebi Preye Okosi
Ms, Ebikienmo Allen
Michael Iniruo Esere
ThankGod Abah
Tari George
Pandei Perye
Odoni Ziwaranto
Alwell Dagogo'
Jerry Allapota
Patience Ayibatari
Pagaebinyu Ebit
Bishop Michael Amamieye
Mrs. Pamela Bischof
Eniye Olobo
Omiete Wiliam-West
Ebimiefagha lbomo
Owei George
Mrs. Diepreye Oyazimugha
Oyowah Indutimi
Timi Koru
Ms Precious Newman
Ebitei Nichodemus
Aleibiri Inaira
Joshua Aliaputa
Augusta Douglás
Ms Udom Ayebaebi Chidinma
Atei Christopher
Elder Job Kenmi
Margaret ldoinung
Ms Nengi Celina Agama
Victor Tamarapreye
Akanate Young Inabriyai
Daniel Christian Esinte
Mrs Bassuo Margret
Ms Sawari Mary Oyindenyefa
Victor Isaiah
Kingsley Sabagha tkado
Kala Sabagha
Blessing lwobi'
Frank Agbai
Ms Tweingha Mathias Nyenye
Augusta Douglas
Ms Udom Ayebaebi Chidinma
Atei Christopher
Lydia Andrew
Godfrey Abaje Timi
Bestman Temple
Inatimi Seigha
Selegha Jeke
Omie James
Mrs Electric Tarelayefa Fakemebo
Mrs Job Perenabo Princess
Mrs Bio Allen Fente
Omeremu Ayibatorudigiyo
Joshua Iruo
Moses Godgift Joseph Amaegberi
Dennis Okilo
Selewari Osuobeni
Teidor Timi
Felix Tukeye
Pereowei Bayour Preye
Ms Okuboere Bayour
Tari Ekiyor
Eneye Philip Asanakpo
Mrs Tari Nathan
Diepreye Inara'
Mrs Tarela Eunice
Bamiekumo Philip
Ms. Tamarawenefere Ekiyor
Joseph Timipere
FIt. Sgt. Angus Ebinimiowei Ekperi (Rtd).
Oghene Woke Ekiyor
Moses Godgift Joseph Amaegberi
Selewari Osuobeni
Dr. Ekpobomene Waritimi
Dr. Pius Obudou Waritimi'
Danniel Agwama
T Kingsley Aquwama Peide I
Doite Elemah
Tariebi Sunday
Ayibanoa Richard
Ayibadiote ikio
Gladstone Inifiyelate
Mrs Tarela Jane1
Filonis Ekiyor
Nelly Obiene
Ekiyor Oyin Tokoni
Nathan Wilson
Inatimi Jubilee
Ebi David Ebi'
Andakuro John
Williams Obuza
Allen Wanaemi
Ms. Nancy Eferebo
Impaca Longjohn
Ms. Suoyo Inco
Owei Obed
Austin B. Jonah
Taribo Inatimi
Ms. Blessing Benjamin
Raphael Oruwort
Deborah Augustine
Nelly Obierie
Ekiyor Oyin Tokoni
Nathan Wilson
Owen James
Lucky Suobite
Ms. Biobarakuma Anthony
Easter Lawrence Pudei
Ms. Becky Nanyo
Theo Bara Moses
Telimoye Allen
Ms. Anita Inko
Steven Suobite
Steven Alfred Ojoko
Munasuonyu Victor
Ebitenye .Joshua
Ayiba Wilson
Ebimobowei Isac
Kemefah Ebi
Deintei Partricia
Emi Allén
Tombara Zipribo
Esere Toinpre
lleberi David
Priye Eisubo
Victor Doubara Ebi
Clariya Idubamo Suobo
Tonpribo T. Inko-Tariah
Pere Ebi
Dotimi Abel
Amaebi Charles
Braye Timi
Peremotei lleberi
Ebierimini Jacqueline lbomo
Alabo Inifie Jas-Spiff
Waikumo Sydney Appah
Ruby lwoyefa Nyananyo
Dr. Godwin Sidi
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