Environmental activists task FG to exonerate Ken Saro-Wiwa, 8 other Ogoni patriots
A coalition of environmental, climate, and human rights activists has called on the Federal Government to formally exonerate Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni leaders, 30 years after their execution under the military regime of General Sani Abacha.
The call came during a press briefing held today at the Lagos office of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), marking the beginning of commemorative activities ahead of the November 10 anniversary of their deaths. The activists stressed that the Ogoni Nine were victims of state injustice, executed for defending their land and people against environmental destruction by multinational oil corporations.
The nine men — Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine — were hanged in 1995 after what many international observers condemned as a deeply flawed and politically motivated trial.
Speakers at the event urged the Nigerian government to issue an exoneration rather than a pardon, arguing that the men committed no crimes and should be cleared of all charges posthumously. They also demanded a total cleanup of Ogoniland and the broader Niger Delta, ecological reparations, and full implementation of the Polluter Pays Principle in Nigeria’s extractive industries.
“The exoneration of these patriots is long overdue. They were silenced for speaking truth to power and defending their environment and heritage,” one speaker said. “Justice for them means action — not mere apologies.”
While some stakeholders joined the briefing virtually due to engagements across East Africa, participants described the atmosphere as powerful and energizing, reaffirming the enduring impact of Saro-Wiwa’s legacy.
Activists noted that decades after the executions, the environmental degradation in Ogoniland persists, with oil spills, contaminated water, and land degradation continuing to threaten the health and livelihoods of local communities.
Commemorative activities will continue in the weeks ahead, culminating in a major event on November 10, the exact date of the executions. Organizers say the struggle for environmental justice in the Niger Delta remains a living cause — and a national responsibility.
