Daily Independent (Lagos)
Harris-Okon Emmanuel, Obas Esiedesa and Tunde Opeseitan
13 July 2009
An Abuja delegation on Sunday met with lawyers, among them Femi Falana, lead counsel to the detained leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta (MEND), Henry Okah, to prepare ground for his release.
Presidential sources said those at the meeting included a Federal Government team, representatives of the Justice Ministry, and security officers.
Falana confirmed the meeting but declined comment.
But it was learnt from other sources that the agenda included modalities for Okah's release and an out of court settlement of his treason charges at the Federal High Court in Jos.
"We will be in court tomorrow (today), and the proceedings will heavily depend on the outcome of the meeting," Falana said.
Okah last week finally bowed to pressure from Niger Delta leaders, met with government representatives, and agreed to accept the amnesty deal.
The MEND had insisted that it would not stop hostilities unless he is released unconditionally.
President Umaru Yar'Adua, has directed federal Attorney General and Justice Minister, Michael Aondoakaa, to effect the immediate release of Okah, and to work with Falana to tidy up the legal work.
"(Yar'Adua) is delighted to hear that Okah has accepted the amnesty offer, and commends the role played by his lawyer, Falana. He will be released when the formalities are concluded," a source disclosed.
He said Yar'Adua called on all other militants to accept the amnesty, so as to pave the way for peace and development in the Niger Delta.
Former Information Commissioner, Edwin Clark, also weighed in, imploring them to halt assaults on oil installations, as there is no more justification for such since Okah is being let off the hook.
Clark noted that the MEND had always insisted on the release of Okah before it would accept the amnesty offer.
He said the MEND should agree to dialogue, and the Joint Task Force (JTF) should leave Gbaramatu to allow displaced persons return to their homes and live normal lives.
"The release of Henry Okah is the beginning of peace in the Niger Delta," he enthused.
He commended Yar'Adua for listening to the voice of reason, noting that Okah did not commit any offence to warrant his arrest.
To broaden the deal, Minister of State for the Niger Delta, Godsday Orubebe, also disclosed at the weekend that the Niger Delta Ministry will be relocated to the region for effective service delivery.
He told the Isoko Development Union (IDU) in Oleh, Delta State that the ministry will open offices in all the South South states this month.
Orubebe noted, however, that the 2009 budget of the ministry does not meet the expectation of the people because its Ministers had not been appointed at the time the budget was prepared.
He pledged that the needs of all oil producing communities would be considered in a comprehensive and workable budget next year.
IDU President General, Peter Ovie Erebi, lamented that Isoko has been neglected over the years, despite its abundant crude oil and other mineral resources, leading to youth restiveness.
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