Latest news with #BarinemKiobel
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
'Wetin we want na make goment clear dem, no be pardon' – Reactions follow presidential pardon for Ogoni 9
Esther Kiobel, wife of one of di Ogoni Nine, Barinem Kiobel say she thank President Tinubu say e don take di first step to give justice to di 'Ogoni 9'. She tok dis one afta Nigeria president Bola Tinubu for im independence day speech, grant presidential pardon to di famous Ogoni nine wey dem execute under di military rule of Lat e General Sani Abacha. Her tok follow di many reactions wey don follow di National honours and Presidential pardon wey Oga Tinubu grant grant on Thursday. Kiobel say e don reach many decades wey she don dey fight for justice for her husband and she believe say dis tin wey di President don do na a way forward. "I don dey fight for am [my husband] to dey exonerated becos di Abacha goment in collaboration wit Shell Oil kill dem. So I know say e don take long but I believe say justice go surely come to pass." Madam Kiobel say she go like make di Nigerian goment retry dat case as dem as families of di Ogoni 9 go through a lot and survive by di grace of God. "I dey alive becos na God dey keep me and my husband spirit sef dey help to keep me to make sure say we get justice becos e no commit any crime. Dat tin na injustice but we need justice." Kiobel widow say many nights she don shed tears for her bed wen she remember how most of di women die, plenti pipo die for dis cause and her husband life wey also bin dey cut short bifor im time. So justice to clear dia name naim dem want. 'Ogoni 9' na a group of nine activists from di Ogoni region of Rivers State for southern Nigeria, wey opposed di operating practices of di Royal Dutch Shell oil corporation for di Niger Delta region. Di military goment for Nigeria bin arrest and set up a special tribunal against dem for murders of four Ogoni chiefs - Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Samuel Orage and Theophilus Orage, wey dem kill for Gokana. R. Boele, Ogoni. Social activist and head of di Movement for di Survival of di Ogoni People (MOSOP), Ken Saro-Wiwa, alongside eight of im fellow leaders - Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine—bin dey on trial under accuse say na dem incite di murder of di four Ogoni chiefs and na on 10 November 1995 di Nigerian Goment execute dem by hanging for Port Harcourt Prison. On democracy day June 12, 2025, Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a speech to a joint session of di National Assembly, grant Presidential pardon on di Ogoni Nine and confer on dem Posthumous National awards. 'Dem dey pardon pesin wey dey innocent?' Ogoni activist, Fegalo Nsuke say di act by di President na di first time any Nigerian President don acknowledge say a crime bin dey committed against di Ogoni Nine and so e praise di action of di President in giving dem such acknowledgement and granting dem a presidential pardon and national honours. "President Tinubu make a bold step wey I think suppose dey help us towards achieving a good healing process. Since 1995 when dis executions take place, no Nigerian President don admit say a wrongdoing bin happen. I must admit say yesterday President Tinubu don admit say dat na injustice and e go further to grant a state pardon." Fegalo Nsuke say while dem appreciate di goodwill of di president, a state pardon na sometin wey dem dey give pipo wey commit an offense and from all available information, di Ogoni Nine dey innocent as such dem wonder wetin di state pardon dey for. Oga Nsuke say wetin dem dey ask for na say beyond giving National honours on di Ogoni Nine, dem go like make di federal goment commission an enquiry into the trial process as dem insist say di decision to kill Ken Saro-Wiwa bin dey taken even bifor dem establish di tribunal. "Dat tribunal bin dey established primarily to kill Ken Saro-Wiwa becos im challenge di system wey bin dey exploit di Ogoni pipo and oda parts of di Niger Delta at di time and so di goment decide to kill am and in dat process, eight odas come fall victims. Also, environmental rights defender Celestine Akpobari say a pardon dey given to somebodi wey commit an offense. "Wetin di Ogoni pipo and human rights community dey ask for na exoneration. So I bin dey expect Mr President to set up a judicial panel of enquiry to do a review of dat kangaroo trial wey sentenced Ken to death. I bin dey expect say dat go happen and from dia dem go dey exonerated completely."
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Nigeria pardons activist Ken Saro-Wiwa 30 years after execution
ABUJA — Nigeria's president has pardoned the late activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, 30 years after his execution sparked global outrage. Along with eight other campaigners, Saro-Wiwa was convicted of murder, then hanged in 1995 by the then-military regime. Many believed the activists were being punished for leading protests against the operations of oil multinationals, particularly Shell, in Nigeria's Ogoniland. Shell has long denied any involvement in the executions. Though the pardons have been welcomed, some activists and relatives say they do not go far enough. As well as issuing the pardons on Thursday, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu bestowed national honors on Saro-Wiwa and his fellow campaigners, who were known as the Ogoni Nine. The nine men - Saro-Wiwa, Barinem Kiobel, John Kpuinen, Baribor Bera, Felix Nuate, Paul Levula, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo and Daniel Gbokoo - were among dozens who received the honors as part of Nigeria's annual Democracy said the accolades recognized "heroes" who had made "outstanding contributions " to the nation's to the pardons for the Ogoni Nine, campaign groups said they would like the government to take further Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (Mosop), which was formerly led by Saro-Wiwa, called the pardon a "courageous act".However, Mosop also said that the pardon implies wrongdoing, while in reality "no crime ever took place".Barinem Kiobel's widow expressed her gratitude to Tinubu for the national honor, but called on the president to "properly declare [her] husband and his compatriots innocent" because a "pardon is not granted to the innocent".Likewise, Amnesty International said clemency falls "far short of the justice the Ogoni Nine need".More must be done to hold oil companies to account for environmental damage currently occurring in Nigeria, the organization who was one of Nigeria's leading authors, led the Ogoni people in peaceful demonstrations against Shell and other oil accused the multinational company of polluting the land that locals relied on for their Nigerian government responded by brutally cracking down on the protesters. The Ogoni Nine were subsequently found guilty by a secret military tribunal of the murder of four Ogoni execution sparked outrage within the international community. It was widely condemned as extrajudicial murder and became a global symbol of the struggle against environmental injustice and was consequently suspended from the Commonwealth group of then, Shell has faced various lawsuits over oil spills and environmental damage in the Niger Delta, the southern region that Ogoniland is a part 2021 a Dutch court ordered Shell to compensate farmers for spills that contaminated swathes of farmland and fishing waters in the Niger Delta. The company agreed to pay more than a hundred million this year, lawyers representing two Ogoniland communities argued in London's High Court that Shell must take responsibility for oil pollution that occurred between 1989 and denies wrongdoing and says spills in the region have been caused by sabotage, theft and illegal refining for which the company says it is not case's full trial is set for 2026. — BBC
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nigeria pardons activist Ken Saro-Wiwa 30 years after execution
Nigeria's president has pardoned the late activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, 30 years after his execution sparked global outrage. Along with eight other campaigners, Mr Saro-Wiwa was convicted of murder, then hanged in 1995 by the then-military regime. Many believed the activists were being punished for leading protests against the operations of oil multinationals, particularly Shell, in Nigeria's Ogoniland. Shell has long denied any involvement in the executions. Though the pardons have been welcomed, some activists and relatives say they do not go far enough. As well as issuing the pardons on Thursday, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu bestowed national honours on Mr Saro-Wiwa and his fellow campaigners, who were known as the Ogoni Nine. The nine men - Mr Saro-Wiwa, Barinem Kiobel, John Kpuinen, Baribor Bera, Felix Nuate, Paul Levula, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo and Daniel Gbokoo - were among dozens who received the honours as part of Nigeria's annual Democracy Day. The Nigerian woman cleaning up a land soaked in oil Oil clean-up 'scam' warnings ignored by Shell, whistleblower tells BBC Tinubu said the accolades recognised "heroes" who had made "outstanding contributions " to the nation's democracy. Responding to the pardons for the Ogoni Nine, campaign groups said they would like the government to take further steps. The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (Mosop), which was formerly led by Mr Saro-Wiwa, called the pardon a "courageous act". However, Mosop also said that the pardon implies wrongdoing, while in reality "no crime ever took place". Barinem Kiobel's widow expressed her gratitude to Tinubu for the national honour, but called on the president to "properly declare [her] husband and his compatriots innocent" because a "pardon is not granted to the innocent". Likewise, Amnesty International said clemency falls "far short of the justice the Ogoni Nine need". More must be done to hold oil companies to account for environmental damage currently occurring in Nigeria, the organisation added. Mr Saro-Wiwa, who was one of Nigeria's leading authors, led the Ogoni people in peaceful demonstrations against Shell and other oil companies. Mosop accused the multinational company of polluting the land that locals relied on for their livelihoods. The Nigerian government responded by brutally cracking down on the protesters. The Ogoni Nine were subsequently found guilty by a secret military tribunal of the murder of four Ogoni chiefs. Their execution sparked outrage within the international community. It was widely condemned as extrajudicial murder and became a global symbol of the struggle against environmental injustice and repression. Nigeria was consequently suspended from the Commonwealth group of nations. Since then, Shell has faced various lawsuits over oil spills and environmental damage in the Niger Delta, the southern region that Ogoniland is a part of. In 2021 a Dutch court ordered Shell to compensate farmers for spills that contaminated swathes of farmland and fishing waters in the Niger Delta. The company agreed to pay more than a hundred million dollars. Earlier this year, lawyers representing two Ogoniland communities argued in London's High Court that Shell must take responsibility for oil pollution that occurred between 1989 and 2020. Shell denies wrongdoing and says spills in the region have been caused by sabotage, theft and illegal refining for which the company says it is not liable. The case's full trial is set for 2026. Additional reporting by Chris Ewokor Nigeria's stolen oil, the military and a man named Government Should I stay or should I go? The dilemma for young Nigerians Culture and colour come out in praise of a Nigerian king Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa This Is Africa
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nigeria pardons activist Ken Saro-Wiwa 30 years after execution
Nigeria's president has pardoned the late activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, 30 years after his execution sparked global outrage. Along with eight other campaigners, Mr Saro-Wiwa was convicted of murder, then hanged in 1995 by the then-military regime. Many believed the activists were being punished for leading protests against the operations of oil multinationals, particularly Shell, in Nigeria's Ogoniland. Shell has long denied any involvement in the executions. Though the pardons have been welcomed, some activists and relatives say they do not go far enough. As well as issuing the pardons on Thursday, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu bestowed national honours on Mr Saro-Wiwa and his fellow campaigners, who were known as the Ogoni Nine. The nine men - Mr Saro-Wiwa, Barinem Kiobel, John Kpuinen, Baribor Bera, Felix Nuate, Paul Levula, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo and Daniel Gbokoo - were among dozens who received the honours as part of Nigeria's annual Democracy Day. The Nigerian woman cleaning up a land soaked in oil Oil clean-up 'scam' warnings ignored by Shell, whistleblower tells BBC Tinubu said the accolades recognised "heroes" who had made "outstanding contributions " to the nation's democracy. Responding to the pardons for the Ogoni Nine, campaign groups said they would like the government to take further steps. The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (Mosop), which was formerly led by Mr Saro-Wiwa, called the pardon a "courageous act". However, Mosop also said that the pardon implies wrongdoing, while in reality "no crime ever took place". Barinem Kiobel's widow expressed her gratitude to Tinubu for the national honour, but called on the president to "properly declare [her] husband and his compatriots innocent" because a "pardon is not granted to the innocent". Likewise, Amnesty International said clemency falls "far short of the justice the Ogoni Nine need". More must be done to hold oil companies to account for environmental damage currently occurring in Nigeria, the organisation added. Mr Saro-Wiwa, who was one of Nigeria's leading authors, led the Ogoni people in peaceful demonstrations against Shell and other oil companies. Mosop accused the multinational company of polluting the land that locals relied on for their livelihoods. The Nigerian government responded by brutally cracking down on the protesters. The Ogoni Nine were subsequently found guilty by a secret military tribunal of the murder of four Ogoni chiefs. Their execution sparked outrage within the international community. It was widely condemned as extrajudicial murder and became a global symbol of the struggle against environmental injustice and repression. Nigeria was consequently suspended from the Commonwealth group of nations. Since then, Shell has faced various lawsuits over oil spills and environmental damage in the Niger Delta, the southern region that Ogoniland is a part of. In 2021 a Dutch court ordered Shell to compensate farmers for spills that contaminated swathes of farmland and fishing waters in the Niger Delta. The company agreed to pay more than a hundred million dollars. Earlier this year, lawyers representing two Ogoniland communities argued in London's High Court that Shell must take responsibility for oil pollution that occurred between 1989 and 2020. Shell denies wrongdoing and says spills in the region have been caused by sabotage, theft and illegal refining for which the company says it is not liable. The case's full trial is set for 2026. Additional reporting by Chris Ewokor Nigeria's stolen oil, the military and a man named Government Should I stay or should I go? The dilemma for young Nigerians Culture and colour come out in praise of a Nigerian king Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa This Is Africa
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nigeria pardons activist Ken Saro-Wiwa 30 years after execution
Nigeria's president has pardoned the late activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, 30 years after his execution sparked global outrage. Along with eight other campaigners, Mr Saro-Wiwa was convicted of murder, then hanged in 1995 by the then-military regime. Many believed the activists were being punished for leading protests against the operations of oil multinationals, particularly Shell, in Nigeria's Ogoniland. Shell has long denied any involvement in the executions. Though the pardons have been welcomed, some activists and relatives say they do not go far enough. As well as issuing the pardons on Thursday, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu bestowed national honours on Mr Saro-Wiwa and his fellow campaigners, who were known as the Ogoni Nine. The nine men - Mr Saro-Wiwa, Barinem Kiobel, John Kpuinen, Baribor Bera, Felix Nuate, Paul Levula, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo and Daniel Gbokoo - were among dozens who received the honours as part of Nigeria's annual Democracy Day. The Nigerian woman cleaning up a land soaked in oil Oil clean-up 'scam' warnings ignored by Shell, whistleblower tells BBC Tinubu said the accolades recognised "heroes" who had made "outstanding contributions " to the nation's democracy. Responding to the pardons for the Ogoni Nine, campaign groups would like the government to take further steps. The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (Mosop), which was formerly led by Mr Saro-Waro, called the pardon a "courageous act". However, Mosop added that the pardon implies wrongdoing, while in reality "no crime ever took place". Barinem Kiobel's widow also expressed her gratitude to Tinubu for the national honour, but called on the president to "properly declare [her] husband and his compatriots innocent" because a "pardon is not granted to the innocent". Mr Saro-Wiwa, who was one of Nigeria's leading authors, led the Ogoni people in peaceful demonstrations against Shell. Mosop accused the multinational company of polluting the land that locals relied on for their livelihoods. The Nigerian government responded by brutally cracking down on the protesters. The Ogoni Nine were subsequently found guilty by a secret military tribunal of the murder of four Ogoni chiefs. Their execution sparked outrage within the international community. It was widely condemned as extrajudicial murder and became a global symbol of the struggle against environmental injustice and repression. Nigeria was consequently suspended from the Commonwealth group of nations. Since then, Shell has faced various lawsuits over oil spills and environmental damage in the Niger Delta, the southern region that Ogoniland is a part of. In 2021 a Dutch court ordered Shell to compensate farmers for spills that contaminated swathes of farmland and fishing waters in the Niger Delta. The company agreed to pay more than a hundred million dollars. Earlier this year, lawyers representing two Ogoniland communities argued in London's High Court that Shell must take responsibility for oil pollution that occurred between 1989 and 2020. Shell denies wrongdoing and says spills in the region have been caused by sabotage, theft and illegal refining for which the company says it is not liable. The case's full trial is set for 2026. Additional reporting by Chris Ewokor Nigeria's stolen oil, the military and a man named Government Should I stay or should I go? The dilemma for young Nigerians Culture and colour come out in praise of a Nigerian king Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa This Is Africa
