Henry and Charles Okah, the embattled leaders of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), are set to begin legal action against former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The Okah brothers, who are standing trial for alleged terrorism in Nigeria and South Africa, have asked their lawyers to commence legal proceedings against the ex-president within 60 days.
While responding to the allegation that he is one of the sponsors of the Niger Delta Avengers, Jonathan had accused the Okahs of being bent on “assassinating” him.
But denying the allegations, MEND wondered why Jonathan would comment on a matter that is before the court of law.
MEND said: “Any follower of events in Nigeria and the Niger Delta who was privileged to read the statement released by Mr. Jonathan, would immediately observe that the former President had a score to settle with the Okah brothers as well as with MEND.
“A substantial portion of Mr. Jonathan’s statement unfortunately dwelt on judicial matters, which are pending in various courts in Nigeria and South Africa.
“The former president’s statement is therefore, most highly contemptuous, injurious to the credit of MEND and the Okah brothers; and, above all, prejudicial to the eventual outcome of the ongoing trials in South African and Nigerian courts, respectively.
“Consequently, both brothers shall, on account of the former President’s prejudicial statement, institute legal action against him in South Africa and Nigeria within 60 days, commencing from today, August 9, 2016.
“Accordingly, they have briefed their respective Solicitors to formally engage the former president in litigation.”