This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21937985

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Henry Okah: Nigerian oil militant jailed for 24 years Henry Okah: Nigerian oil militant jailed for 24 years
(about 1 hour later)
A South African court has sentenced Nigerian oil militant Henry Okah to an effective 24 years in jail.A South African court has sentenced Nigerian oil militant Henry Okah to an effective 24 years in jail.
He was found guilty of 13 terrorism-related charges over twin car bombings during Nigeria's independence day celebrations in 2010.He was found guilty of 13 terrorism-related charges over twin car bombings during Nigeria's independence day celebrations in 2010.
At least 12 people were killed and 36 others injured.At least 12 people were killed and 36 others injured.
Okah led a group which said it was fighting to help Niger Delta residents gain a greater share of the oil wealth from their part of southern Nigeria.Okah led a group which said it was fighting to help Niger Delta residents gain a greater share of the oil wealth from their part of southern Nigeria.
The court established that Okah was the former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, Mend.The court established that Okah was the former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, Mend.
He also received a 13-year jail term for threats made to the South African government after his arrest in October 2010 but this runs concurrently with his 24-year sentence.He also received a 13-year jail term for threats made to the South African government after his arrest in October 2010 but this runs concurrently with his 24-year sentence.
The judge found that the state had proven Okah's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt because he didn't testify in his own defence during the trial.The judge found that the state had proven Okah's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt because he didn't testify in his own defence during the trial.
He had repeatedly denied any involvement in the bombings.He had repeatedly denied any involvement in the bombings.
Prosecutors have argued that although Okah is not a South Africa citizen, the country had the jurisdiction to try him under the International Co-operation in Criminal Matters Act.Prosecutors have argued that although Okah is not a South Africa citizen, the country had the jurisdiction to try him under the International Co-operation in Criminal Matters Act.
Analysts believe it would have been too dangerous for him to be tried in Nigeria because of the presence of his militant supporters.
The BBC's Will Ross in Lagos says Okah may no longer be a headache for the Nigerian authorities but the threat of instability in the Niger Delta remains strong, despite a fall in the levels of violence since a 2009 amnesty.
Okah was arrested on gun-running charges in Angola in 2007 and then transferred to Nigeria but never convicted.Okah was arrested on gun-running charges in Angola in 2007 and then transferred to Nigeria but never convicted.
He was released after two years under an amnesty for oil militants and he returned to South Africa, where he had lived since 2003.He was released after two years under an amnesty for oil militants and he returned to South Africa, where he had lived since 2003.
While Mend and other militant groups say they were fighting for a political cause, criminal gangs have taken advantage of the region's instability to make money from ransoms paid by oil companies, and by stealing oil.While Mend and other militant groups say they were fighting for a political cause, criminal gangs have taken advantage of the region's instability to make money from ransoms paid by oil companies, and by stealing oil.
The violence subsided significantly after the government offered militants an amnesty in 2009.
At its peak, the instability in the Niger Delta cost Nigeria about $1bn (£630m) in lost revenue, Reuters news agency quotes the central bank as saying.At its peak, the instability in the Niger Delta cost Nigeria about $1bn (£630m) in lost revenue, Reuters news agency quotes the central bank as saying.
Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer, but most of its people live in poverty.Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer, but most of its people live in poverty.