Charles Okah, the convicted Independence Day bomber serving a life sentence at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MaSCC) in Maiduguri, is set to institute a N1 billion lawsuit against the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) over alleged torture, prolonged solitary confinement, and denial of medical care.
Okah, who was convicted for his role in the October 1, 2010 twin bomb blasts in Abuja, has reportedly spent over 190 days in solitary confinement after exposing what he described as a multi-million naira corruption racket involving senior prison officials.
In March 2025, Okah wrote an open letter to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, accusing correctional officers of forging warrants, reducing fines, and facilitating illegal discharges of convicts in exchange for bribes.
Sources said he was punished two days later by being locked in solitary confinement on “directives from Abuja.”
“For 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for more than six months, Mr. Okah has been denied the right to exercise or access adequate medical treatment, despite being hypertensive and living with one kidney since 1982,” a family source told PLATFORM TIMES.
The harsh treatment, which contravenes the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules) that limit solitary confinement to 15 days, has left Okah in critical health.
On August 16, he reportedly suffered a stroke and was taken to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, where doctors recommended an MRI scan.
However, the NCoS allegedly failed to release funds for the procedure before returning him to solitary confinement.
Okah’s family has since petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and is finalising legal action at the Federal High Court, Abuja. The suit will demand N1 billion in damages for alleged persecution, torture, and unlawful detention practices.
“We are already in talks with top legal chambers, including those of Femi Falana (SAN) and Festus Keyamo (SAN), to take up the case,” a family insider confirmed.
The lawsuit, when filed, will test the Nigerian justice system’s commitment to protecting the rights of convicts, even those serving life sentences for terrorism-related offences.
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