The “mastermind” behind a bombing which left 12 people dead as they celebrated 50 years since Nigeria’s independence has been sentenced to life in prison.

Charles Okah was sentenced for the 2010 attack on Eagle Square, in the capital Abuja, five years after his older brother Henry was jailed in South Africa for the same offence.

Henry, the former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend), is serving 24 years for 13 terrorism-related charges over the twin car bombings.

Charles and his accomplice Obi Nwabueze were sentenced at Abuja High Court in a judgement which last more than five hours.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole said the terrorism charges they were facing had been proved beyond all reasonable doubt.

According to the court, Henry released funds to the two so they could buy cars used in two separate attacks in March and October of 2010.

The October attack left 12 dead and 36 injured.

Henry 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.

 

Source: BBC