From: Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has blasted former President Goodluck Jonathan insisting that he frittered away the opportunity to develop the Niger Delta region during his Presidency.
MEND, in a statement by Jomo Gbomo, reacting to the judgment by Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court Abuja on the treasonable charges brought against Mr. Charles Okah said the judgment has vindicated the Okah brothers.
Gbomo who pointed out that the seven years trial is another example of the slow pace of the justice system in Nigeria, commended it for being a “clear, thoughtful and cultivated Ruling”
While insisting that MEND has no hand whatsoever in plans to assassinate Jonathan, it maintained that Jonathan did nothing to uplift the Niger Delta region.
The statement reads in part “Indeed, since after the unfortunate incident of October 1, 2010 former President Jonathan has been going all around the world labeling and slandering the Okah brothers as the masterminds of an imaginary assassination attempt on his life. We are therefore sufficiently convinced that Justice Kolawole’s Ruling has vindicated the Okah brothers.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has no interest whatsoever in any plot to assassinate the former President. Rather, our grouse with the former President border on the fact that he single-handedly frittered away the golden opportunity bestowed on him by providence to emancipate the Niger Delta region”
