Nigerian Activist: Posthumous Pardon After 30 Years
- Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has issued pardons for the late activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other campaigners, 30 years after thier executions triggered international outrage.
- Tinubu also bestowed national honors on Saro-Wiwa and his colleagues—Barineem Kiobel, John Kpuinen, Baribor Bera, Felix Nuate, Paul Levula, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, and Daniel Gboko—recognizing their contributions...
- While some welcomed the pardons, others argue they don't go far enough.
Nigerian President Tinubu grants posthumous pardons to Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine—a move made thirty years after their execution. This decision, addressing the controversial deaths of the activists, who were hanged in 1995 after protesting against oil giant Shell, sparks mixed reactions. While some celebrate the pardons as a step in the right direction,others demand complete exoneration,emphasizing the need for justice beyond mere clemency. the fight for accountability for environmental damage in the Niger delta, spearheaded by groups like MOSOP, remains intense. Shell’s role and responsibility for oil spills continue to be questioned; the 2026 trial in London is a crucial date. Discover what’s next for the ongoing legal battles concerning Shell and environmental justice; stay informed with News directory 3.
nigeria Pardons Ken Saro-Wiwa, ogoni Nine Honored
Updated June 13, 2025
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has issued pardons for the late activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other campaigners, 30 years after thier executions triggered international outrage. The activists, known as the Ogoni Nine, were convicted of murder by a military tribunal and hanged in 1995. Many believe they were targeted for protesting the operations of oil multinational Shell in Ogoniland.
Tinubu also bestowed national honors on Saro-Wiwa and his colleagues—Barineem Kiobel, John Kpuinen, Baribor Bera, Felix Nuate, Paul Levula, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, and Daniel Gboko—recognizing their contributions to Nigeria’s democracy. He described them as “heroes” who made “outstanding contributions.”
While some welcomed the pardons, others argue they don’t go far enough. The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (Mosop), formerly led by Saro-Wiwa, called the pardon a “brave act” but noted it implies wrongdoing when “no crime ever took place.”
Barinem Kiobel’s widow thanked Tinubu for the honor but urged him to “properly declare [her] husband and his compatriots innocent,” arguing that “a pardon is not granted to the innocent.” She told the BBC she wants a retrial.
Amnesty International stated that the clemency “falls far short of the justice the Ogoni Nine need,” adding that holding oil companies accountable for ongoing environmental damage in Nigeria is crucial.
Saro-Wiwa, a prominent Nigerian author, led peaceful demonstrations against Shell and other oil companies, which Mosop accused of polluting Ogoni lands and harming local livelihoods.the government’s crackdown on protesters led to the Ogoni Nine’s conviction and execution, resulting in Nigeria’s suspension from the Commonwealth.
Shell has faced numerous lawsuits regarding oil spills and environmental damage in the Niger Delta.In 2021, a Dutch court ordered Shell to compensate farmers for spills, and the company agreed to pay over $100 million. Earlier this year, lawyers argued in London’s High Court that Shell must take obligation for pollution between 1989 and 2020. Shell denies liability, attributing spills to sabotage and illegal refining.
The full trial is scheduled for 2026.
What’s next
The push for full exoneration of the Ogoni Nine and greater accountability for environmental damage in the Niger Delta is expected to continue. The 2026 trial in London will be a key event in determining shell’s responsibility for past oil spills.