On November 10, 1995, The federal government of Nigeria brutally hanged 9 Ogonis, now popularly called the “Ogoni 9”. They had been tried by a special military tribunal with no right of appeal. They include outspoken environmental rights campaigner, author and playwright Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Dr. Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuinen. Before their trail, they have been imprisoned for about a year. Saro-Wiwa had been a global campaigner for the human and environmental rights of the Ogoni people in Nigeria. The campaign had been mouted against Shell and the Nigerian government. The execution of the nine Ogonis took place on the eve of the meeting of Commonwealth heads of Government holding in Auckland, New Zealand. Outraged by the executions, Nigeria was suspended from the Commonwealth and was compelled to democratize. Shell had denied any wrong-doing in Ogoni. However, a recent United Nations report released in August 2011 showed an incredible level of pollution in Ogoniland caused by Shell’s presence for over 50 years in Ogoniland. Unfortunately, the Ogoni people still live in the same conditions that motivated Saro-Wiwa to lead the global campaign against Shell and the Nigerian government.
*This article is a republication as part of our Nov. 10th special editions to remember Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni8
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