Nigeria’s president has issued a posthumous pardon to the renowned activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, thirty years following his controversial execution that incited worldwide protests.
In 1995, Saro-Wiwa and eight others, collectively known as the Ogoni Nine, were convicted of murder and executed under a military regime that many believe penalized them for their opposition to oil corporations, primarily Shell, operating in Ogoniland. Shell has consistently refuted any involvement in the executions.
While the pardons have been met with approval, several activists and family members contend that more is needed for justice. President Bola Tinubu also conferred national honors on Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine during Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebrations, recognizing their notable contributions to the nation.
In response, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (Mosop), which Saro-Wiwa once led, described the pardon as a commendable act but called for a formal declaration of innocence, arguing that a pardon implies guilt. Barinem Kiobel’s widow expressed gratitude but emphasized that such acknowledgment should reflect actual innocence rather than mere forgiveness.
Furthermore, Amnesty International remarked that while the pardons are a step forward, they do not suffice in delivering the justice the Ogoni Nine deserve. They stressed the necessity for accountability regarding the environmental damage caused by oil companies in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, a matter that remains crucial in the ongoing struggle for justice and environmental rights.
Source: www.bbc.com
