Date Published: 10/27/10

Release my husband now -Mrs. Okah

Angela Okah, wife of Charles Okah, the detained alleged terrorist, has demanded for the immediate release of her husband whom she described as “ a patriotic Nigerian who loves the nation.

Ina press release signed personally by her and sent to pointblanknews.com, Mrs. Okah denied her husband’s membership of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND and the alias ascribed to him as “Gbomo Jomo.”

According to Mrs. Okah: “My husband Charles Okah is not a terrorist. He is neither a member of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) nor does he go by the alias ‘‘GBOMO JOMO’’ as being touted by the law enforcement agencies. The residence where my husband was before he was whisked away is NOT a MEND camp as portrayed by the media. It is the residence where I live with him and our children.”
 
“Charles Okah (my husband) is a patriotic Nigerian who loves the nation and believes he has a lot to offer his country. He is a simple man who goes about his life in a normal way and does not like to draw attention onto himself. He is a loving and caring husband and a great father to our children.”

“Charles is a peace maker and not a violent person as many who know him can testify to that. He is very compassionate and detests any form of terrorism or anything that would lead to the wanton loss of lives.”
 
“Since donating a kidney to save his mother's life, who passed away shortly after, Charles developed a strong passion to save lives. He was one of the few Nigerians who donated dialysis machine to hospitals in Nigeria as well as setting up dialysis centres in most of the Hospitals in Nigeria.”
 
“As more people became involved in the dialysis business, Charles took up an interest in emergency rescue operation and was hosted on the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA)'s AM express. He also participates in workshops and conventions with highly placed people to create awareness on first response at an accident scene, first aid and safety measures.”

“He is actively involved in emergency evacuations, trauma and EMS programmes; he takes it upon himself to always stop and help accident victims and on our roads.”

“Single handedly, he put up retro reflective signs on dangerous spots especially in Lagos state and pushed for the awareness and importance of trucks and tankers having retro reflective signs on their bodies.”
 
“I spend reasonable time with my husband and have not seen him in any kind of illegal act or engaged in any phone calls that sounded suspicious. I know Charles is innocent and therefore, I call on the government to fish out the real culprits and bring them to book.”

“Charles was arrested on the 16th of October, 2010. For sometime now, uptill the time of his arrest he was sick, and was being nurtured by me, and under daily medication. Sadly and up till the time I am making this passionate plea to the government, he has been denied access to his lawyers, family members and his medication.”
 
“I am calling on the President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan to show the character of a true leader by immediately requesting that my husband be granted access to his lawyers, family members and medication. He should either be charged to court or release to his family. Hence, if any harm should befall my husband whilst in the custody of the Federal Government, the government should be held responsible.”
 
“My husband is the sole breadwinner of the family. His official documents as well as cheque books were taken away by the SSS who came to take him away, leaving his business to suffer and putting his family in a precarious situation.”

“All I am asking is that my husband be released immediately. Or in the alternative, be given access to his lawyers, family members and medication as well as a free and fair trial, respect for his fundamental rights as guaranteed in a democratic society of which  Nigeria is one.”
 
Angela Okah.