The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People has commended President Bola Tinubu for granting a posthumous pardon to the nine Ogoni activists executed in 1995 under the regime of late General Sani Abacha.
In a statement on Thursday, MOSOP President, Fegalo Nsuke, described the gesture as a historic and courageous step toward justice and national healing.
Those pardoned include Ken Saro-Wiwa, Nubari Kiobel, Nordu Eawo, Saturday Doobee, John Kpuinen, Paul Levura, Daniel Gbokoo, Felix Nuate, and Baribor Bera, collectively known as the Ogoni Nine.
Nsuke said Tinubu had distinguished himself as a leader who listened to the cries of marginalised people.
However, he maintained that while the pardon was welcome, it implied the activists had committed crimes for which they were forgiven, a narrative MOSOP strongly rejects.
MOSOP urged the President to go further by setting up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to review and formally nullify the convictions.
He said, “Such an exoneration would be a stronger moral and legal correction, ensuring that their names are no longer burdened by the stain of injustice.
“To this end, the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry, to investigate and formally repudiate the irregularities of the 1995 tribunal would be a landmark act of complete restorative justice, one that would further cement President Tinubu’s legacy as a leader not only of courage but of conscience.”
Tinubu had announced the pardon and posthumous national honours for the Ogoni Nine during his Democracy Day speech at the National Assembly.
