Amnesty International has responded to President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to grant a posthumous pardon to Ken Saro-Wiwa and the eight other members of the Ogoni Nine, stating that while the move is a step forward, it does not go far enough in delivering true justice. The organization insists that the Nigerian government must fully exonerate the activists, formally recognizing their innocence.
Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International Nigeria’s Director, emphasized that the Ogoni Nine were executed in 1995 after a blatantly unfair trial, targeted for their activism against environmental destruction in the Niger Delta. “This is welcome news, but it falls far short of the justice the Ogoni Nine need and deserve. The Nigerian government must recognize formally that they are innocent of any crime and fully exonerate them,” Sanusi stated.
The executions of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his fellow activists were widely condemned by the international community, with many accusing the Nigerian government and oil companies of silencing voices that spoke out against environmental degradation. Amnesty International argues that justice for the Ogoni Nine is only the first step, and that oil companies, including Shell, must be held accountable for the devastation caused by decades of oil spills and pollution in the Niger Delta.
The organization is calling for full compensation for affected communities and a comprehensive cleanup of the environmental damage left behind. “The execution of these activists nearly 30 years ago has given the Nigerian government and oil companies license to crack down on protests and intimidate people in the Niger Delta who have been demanding justice and an end to their toxic pollution,” Amnesty International stated.