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.

Comments                                                                                                                     

 Emmanuel Udom :Mrs Okah. I quite appreciate the love you have for your husband. It is natural and
right .But, the truth is that these your praises for your husband cannot stop the security
agencies and the court from carrying out their duties .It is indeed a trying period for you. But the law must take it course