President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a full presidential pardon for renowned writer and environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, along with the other members of the Ogoni Nine, who were executed under the military regime of General Sani Abacha. In addition to the pardon, Tinubu posthumously awarded Ken Saro-Wiwa the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR). He also extended similar national honours to the rest of the Ogoni Nine.
“Furthermore, I also confer posthumous national honours on Ken Saro Wiwa (CON), the leader of the Ogoni Nine and his fellow travellers, Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON), Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and John Kpuine (OON),” he said.
The Ogoni Nine were environmental and human rights activists from the Ogoni region in Rivers State, known for their opposition to the operations of Royal Dutch Shell in the Niger Delta. Their activism brought them into direct conflict with the military government of the time.
Ken Saro-Wiwa, who led the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), and the other eight were arrested and charged with the murder of four Ogoni chiefs. After a controversial trial conducted by a special tribunal, they were found guilty and sentenced to death.
Despite widespread international condemnation of the proceedings and calls for clemency, they were executed by hanging on November 10, 1995.
The execution drew global outrage and resulted in Nigeria facing diplomatic sanctions, including suspension from the Commonwealth. The country remained internationally isolated until the end of military rule and the return to civilian governance in 1999.
