Alleged mastermind of the October 1, 2010 independence day bombing in Abuja, Nigeria, Henry Okah, has a chance to mitigate the level of his punishment by a South African court that found him guilty of terrorism.
Justice Neels Claassen of a Johannesburg High Court has fixed three days for Okah to make a case for himself.
The judge’s position was influenced by the appeal of Okah’s counsel for an adjournment to allow all witnesses make their pleas for a lighter sentence for Okah.
Justice Claassen said: “I will grant you this request for the last time.
“I’m granting you three days from February 28, March 1 and March 4, to call all your witnesses to testify in mitigation or aggravation of sentence.
“You have to ensure that all your witnesses appear in court in those three days and if for any reason any of the witnesses fails to appear, the court will go ahead with the pronouncement of the sentence.
“I cannot entertain any further delay in this trial due to the nature of the case and its security implication for South Africa and Nigeria governments.”
Okah was pronounced guilty on 13-count terrorism related charges on January 21, 2013 but has been awaiting sentencing.
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