Nigeria's Henry Okah, Four Others In Failed Jail Break

Source: thewillnigeria.com

SAN FRANCISCO, February 10, (THEWILL) -  Mr.
Henry Okah, the convicted Nigerian gunrunner and terrorist serving a 24-year jail term at the Leeukop prison in Johannesburg, South Africa, unsuccessfully tried to escape from the prison, South African prison authorities said Monday.

Manelisi Wolela, spokesman for South Africa's department of correctional services told the AFP that Okah alongside four other inmates attempted a jail break but their efforts were foiled.

The spokesman did not give further details though the report said the incident occurred in January.

'I can confirm that Okah is one of the five inmates that attempted to escape and whose efforts were foiled,' Manelisi Wolela, spokesman for South Africa's department of correctional services, told AFP.

Okah was convicted last year and sentenced on 13 counts of terrorism, including twin bombings that killed 12 people in the Nigerian capital Abuja as the country celebrated the 50th anniversary of its independence in 2010.

He was arrested, tried and convicted in South Africa where he has permanent residency.

The department said most of the offenders involved in the botched bid to escape are serving life sentences for serious offences including murder, kidnapping and robbery.

Correctional services officials said security at the prison, which recorded 11 attempted jail breaks in the 12 months until March last year, had been tightened.

*** Report courtesy of the AFP.