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Nigeria rebel leader due in court No sign of Nigerian rebel leader
(about 1 hour later)
A leader of a Niger Delta oil militant group is due in court in the Nigerian capital Abuja. A leader of a Niger Delta oil militant group due in a Nigerian court has still not been seen.
Henry Okah was extradited to Nigeria from Angola on gun running charges last month, he has not been seen since. A court hearing has been delayed for a few hours, but there is no sign that Henry Okah will be produced in court.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) issued a press release last week promising "anarchy" if he is not shown in public. The security presence at the court seen during the appearances of other detained militant leaders is absent.
The government has said he is "safe and well" but has so far refused lawyers or family access to him. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) issued a press release last week threatening "anarchy" if Henry Okah is not shown in public.
Mr Okah was extradited to Nigeria from Angola on gun running charges last month.
The government has said he is "safe and well" but has so far refused to allow any access to him.
A judge issued a court order that said Mr Okah must be produced by 5 March.A judge issued a court order that said Mr Okah must be produced by 5 March.
ArrestArrest
Mr Okah and Edward Atatah, a captain in the Nigerian Merchant Navy, were arrested in September in Luanda.Mr Okah and Edward Atatah, a captain in the Nigerian Merchant Navy, were arrested in September in Luanda.
href="/1/hi/world/africa/7257363.stm">My brother, the militant HENRY OKAH Born in LagosFamily from Ammasoma, Bayelsa StateFather a Nigerian Navy commanderNo contact with oil rich Niger Delta until age 19 href="/1/hi/world/africa/7257363.stm">Profile: Henry Okah
Interpol says they were buying arms and explosives, but they claim they were buying a second hand trawler for a marine engineering business.Interpol says they were buying arms and explosives, but they claim they were buying a second hand trawler for a marine engineering business.
Police say Mr Okah is being charged with murder, bank robbery, kidnapping, endangering the state and gun-running.Police say Mr Okah is being charged with murder, bank robbery, kidnapping, endangering the state and gun-running.
Mend came to prominence in 2006 after the arrest of another militant leader, Mujahid Dokubo Asari.Mend came to prominence in 2006 after the arrest of another militant leader, Mujahid Dokubo Asari.
They kidnapped foreign oil workers for ransom, holding them deep in the creeks of the swampy Niger Delta and sending their pictures to international news desks, along with demands for a bigger share of the oil wealth.They kidnapped foreign oil workers for ransom, holding them deep in the creeks of the swampy Niger Delta and sending their pictures to international news desks, along with demands for a bigger share of the oil wealth.
Oil companies have slashed production and evacuated many staff to safer areas.Oil companies have slashed production and evacuated many staff to safer areas.
Since then copy-cat groups have started attacking softer targets like Nigerian national staff, the relatives of politicians and children.Since then copy-cat groups have started attacking softer targets like Nigerian national staff, the relatives of politicians and children.
A German worker was briefly held before being released this week- the first kidnapping of a foreign worker this year. A German worker was briefly held before being released this week - the first kidnapping of a foreign worker this year.