Tinubu’s Remembrance of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni 8 Count for Little until Justice and Reconciliation is Allowed

By: Michael Mike

A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) have said eulogies by President Bola Tinubu of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni leaders hung in 1995 after they were sentenced to death by a tribunal, count for nothing until proper justice and reconciliation is allowed in the old rich Niger Delta region.

The CSOs, which include Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Corporate Accountability and Popular Participation Africa, People’s Advancement Centre,
Kabetkeche Women Development Resource Centre and Lekeh Development Foundation, in a statement on Tuesday said the statement on Monday 11 November 2024 by President Bola Tinubu through his media aide honouring the memory of Ogoni leaders including Ken Saro-Wiwa who were killed in 1995 for leading the fight for ecological justice in Ogoni and the Niger Delta, where the President stated; “We honour their memory by recognising the sacrifices made and pledging to strive for a future characterised by peace, justice, and sustainable development for all communities, particularly those in the Niger Delta.” And where he equally admitted that “the subsequent struggles of Ogoni leaders to protect their environment from harmful oil exploration were met with severe repression, culminating in the tragic execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other leaders in 1995,” was commendable but action to ensure succour of the people of the area would have made more impact and a proper memorial to the slain martyrs.

The statement read: “As frontline civil society organisations focused on environmental justice, we are delighted that the President has deemed it appropriate to honour the memory of these martyrs of ecological struggle. We are particularly delighted that the President recognizes that they were murdered because they fought to protect their environment from harmful oil extraction activities that had polluted their lands and rivers; and poisoned their people.

“For clarity, it is important to note that the Nigerian military junta headed by General Sani Abacha authorized the hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine. The nine were instrumental in mobilizing Ogonis under the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), and had issued a set of demands contained in the Ogoni Bill of Rights which included calls to the Nigerian government to clean up the Ogoni environment and restore livelihoods of the indigenous people who had suffered decades of reckless oil extraction by Shell.

“MOSOP had called global attention to the poverty, neglect and environmental destruction which decades of oil exploitation had bequeathed the Ogoni people. MOSOP demanded fairer benefits to the Ogoni people from oil, as well as remediation and compensation for the ecological damage caused by the activities of Shell. Their selfless mobilization and campaigning led to the 1993 expulsion of Shell from Ogoniland. The military government responded to this genuine concern with widespread militarization of Ogoniland and the Niger Delta region, mass killings, arson and the eventual executions that left the world outraged. The nine were murdered after the recommendations of a stage-managed tribunal and denied the opportunity to appeal.”

The statement added that: “The statement by the President is the first time since the unfortunate events of 1995 that a government has admitted to the injustice of the killings and repression of the Ogonis. However, it is important that the President goes further in this effort at reconciliation and justice.

“As civil society organisations, we have consistently demanded an admission that the quasi-judicial process which resulted in the conviction of the Ogoni 9 was a mockery of justice orchestrated by the military government with the active collaboration of Shell to quell community demands for resource and ecological justice. What we continue to demand is the complete exoneration of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni 8. This is the only strategy that will bring closure to the thousands of Ogonis who were victims of government-driven repression characterized by murders, rape, torture and forced exile.

“It is important to also note that the body language and the actions of successive governments in Nigeria have not always indicated the need to reconcile and bring about closure. In 2015, a memorial artwork in the form of a bus, designed in memory of the executed Ogoni leaders by friends in the United Kingdom was confiscated by the Nigeria Customs Service. All appeals to the government to release this memorabilia, including an order by the National Assembly and a judgement by the Federal High Court in Lagos, was denied. The bus remains locked up by the Customs Service in Lagos for absolutely no reason beyond provocation.

“We are equally concerned that the Nigerian government continues to make frantic efforts to resume oil extraction activities in the oil wells located in Ogoni territory, after they were shut down in 1993. It is worrying that the government will decide to resume oil extraction when the pollution of the last decades is yet to be cleaned, and the recommendations of UNEP are yet to be fully complied with. How does one explain the fact that a site supposedly being cleaned up will resume full oil extraction activities with all the pollution that comes with it?

“We are deeply concerned about the neglect of key issues around ecological and social justice in Ogoniland. The world recognizes that the people of Ogoni have suffered unprecedented pains and losses on account of oil extraction. No apology has been rendered for the destruction of their environment, the killing of their people, the loss of their livelihoods, the destruction of their villages, the forced exile of their people and the murder of their leaders.These issues must be fully addressed and measures put in place to protect the environment from further devastation.”

The statement advised that: “Flowing from the foregoing, it is our recommendation that the government puts a stop to any attempt to resume oil activities in Ogoniland. It should rather concentrate on remediating the ecological disaster in the area, decommissioning aged oil infrastructure, replacing the lost livelihood of the people and securing justice for the countless Ogonis waiting for closure. We also call on the government to release the Ken Saro-Wiwa Memorial Bus, a sculpture which was confiscated by the Nigeria Customs Service and has been detained for years now for no just cause. This is the time to learn from the Ogoni situation, take note of how difficult remediation and restoration processes can be and commence the steps needed to clean up the entire Niger Delta.”

Tinubu’s Remembrance of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni 8 Count for Little until Justice and Reconciliation is Allowed

ROLAC, Ministry of Justice host national reforms conference 

By: Michael Mike

The EU-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) Programme of International IDEA is hosting the 2024 Network of Justice Reform Teams (JRTs) conference.

The three-day conference, which commenced today, has in attendance representatives of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committees (ACJMCs). It will take place in Ilorin, Kwara state with collaboration from the Federal Ministry of Justice (FMoJ).

Communications Officer RoLAC II Programme, International IDEA, Murkthar Suleiman, in a statement on Monday, said the event will bring together various criminal justice institutions to discuss the reform of the justice sector and promote models of reform and new targets for improving justice delivery in Nigeria. 

“Over the years, RoLAC and the FmoJ have hosted JRTs with the primary aim of fostering coordination in justice delivery. Network meetings create platforms for experience sharing and peer learning and have engendered a wide range of reforms. 

“Achievements include the adoption of Administration of Criminal Justice Laws by the 36 states in the federation.”

The statement noted other examples of network coordination achievements include the creation of more JRTs, the implementation of inspection visits to places of detention by magistrates and the creation of zonal JRT networks to bolster reform initiatives.

“This year’s conference will, among other things, review lingering or emerging challenges that impede effective coordination and adopt measures that would resolve those issues while also strengthening coordination.

The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC Phase II) Programme is funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). The programme seeks to contribute to the consolidation of the rule of law and anticorruption reforms in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, by enhancing the performance, quality, and oversight of Nigeria’s criminal justice system, improving access to justice for vulnerable women, children, persons with disabilities, and victims of sexual and gender-based violence; and by increasing promote transparency and accountability of anti-corruption systems and reforms. 

International IDEA, the implementer of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, is a 35-member State Inter-Governmental Organisation established in 1995. As a global think-tank, it is committed to supporting sustainable democracy worldwide and the development of democratic institutions and culture.

ROLAC, Ministry of Justice host national reforms conference 

Insecurity: Military Remains Guardian of Nigeria’s Unity and Democracy – Gen Abdulsalami, IBB, Others

•Youths Urged to Embrace Service and Commitment

•Revelations on Abacha’s ‘Phantom Coups’ in the Book “Nine Lives”

By: Michael Mike

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and other prominent Nigerians have emphasised the Nigerian military’s crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s unity and democracy. 

Speaking at the public presentation and book launch of ‘Nine Lives: The Bello-Fadile Memoirs’ in Abuja on Monday, Abdulsalami highlighted the military’s significance as a stabilizing force in Nigeria.

The book, authored by Col. Bello Fadile (rtd), a central figure in the 1995 “phantom coup” against the late General Sani Abacha, provides a detailed account of this turbulent period. Abdulsalami commended the author for his patriotism and unwavering commitment to democracy and national unity. He encouraged Nigerian youths to emulate Fadile’s life of service and dedication.

“Youths have a critical role in nation-building,” Abdulsalami stated, reiterating the need for patriotism, dedication, and selflessness as exemplified by Col. Fadile. “Fadile’s unwavering commitment, even in the face of trials, is an example of how young people can contribute to nation-building. A life of service, whether in the military, public office, or civil society, strengthens the fabric of our country.”

Abdulsalami also acknowledged the sacrifices made by soldiers to secure peace in Nigeria, urging young Nigerians to adopt a spirit of national service and collective effort for the future of the country. He praised Fadile’s continuous pursuit of knowledge and his dedication to Nigeria’s progress, describing him as a brilliant lawyer and a role model for all Nigerians.

He said: “An excellent scholar, Fadile has continued to seek knowledge,  stay curious and remain committed to Nigeria’s progress. It is this relentless pursuit of  excellence and deep sense of duty that makes him a role model for all Nigerians.

“At a time when our nation faces internal and external threats, it is essential to remember that the military is not an isolated institution, but a guardian of national unity.”

Former President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, represented by his daughter, Aisha Babangida, also lauded Fadile’s bravery and resilience. 

“Even in the face of tribulation, he remained undaunted and consistent in the best tradition of resilience,” Babangida said. “Bello Fadile never gave up until he gained freedom at the onset of this democracy. His rich intellectuality stimulated deeper conversations around democracy and good governance.”

Prof. Agbo Madaki, who reviewed the book, disclosed that “Nine Lives” reveals truths about the coup different from the narrative branded by the Nigerian media as a “phantom coup.” The book, divided into five chapters, narrates events leading up to the author’s experiences. Madaki praised Fadile’s narrative power, vivid recollections, and poetic skill, making the book an engaging read.

Madaki urged the Nigerian military to eradicate practices associated with military regimes, such as human rights abuses, dictatorship, disregard for the rule of law, and corruption. He emphasized the need for the military to focus on safeguarding peace, human life, and law and order, rather than seizing power.

“Students of government and history will find the book very interesting as it captures significant events in Nigeria’s history,” Madaki noted. “The book serves as an inspiration to those who may want to give up on their dreams because of trials, to look at the life of the author and learn how to be strong and maintain faith in God during adversity.”

Col. Bello Fadile expressed his gratitude to all participants, recounting his struggles through years of service. He appreciated those who attended the launch despite their busy schedules.

Goodwill messages were delivered by other dignitaries, including former Senate President David Mark, Sen. Ndoma Egba, former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Kano Agabi, former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Luther Martin Agwai, and former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), among others.

Insecurity: Military Remains Guardian of Nigeria’s Unity and Democracy – Gen Abdulsalami, IBB, Others