The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) 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 President Tinubu had distinguished himself as a leader who listened to the cries of marginalised people.
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’.
President Tinubu had announced the pardon and posthumous national honours for the Ogoni Nine during his Democracy Day speech at the National Assembly.
