President Bola Tinubu has granted a full presidential posthumous pardon to environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni men, known as the Ogoni Nine, nearly 30 years after their execution by the Sani Abacha-led military regime.
Tinubu announced the pardon during a joint session of the National Assembly to commemorate Democracy Day, describing the Ogoni Nine as “national heroes”, while exercising his powers under the Prerogative of Mercy.
He said others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State would also receive a presidential pardon.
He also conferred posthumous national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger on Saro Wiwa, and Officer of the Order of the Niger on his eight kinsmen.
The eight others are Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine.
Tinubu said, “Furthermore, I also confer posthumous national honours on Ken Saro Wiwa (CON), the leader of the Ogoni Nine, and his fellow travellers, Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON), Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and John Kpuine (OON).
“I shall also be exercising my powers under the prerogative of mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State.”
Saro Wiwa and his colleagues had been accused of murder by the administration of a former Head of State, the late Sani Abacha, and executed in 1995.
Their execution sparked global outrage and led to Nigeria’s suspension from the Commonwealth .
