President Bola Tinubu has issued a full presidential posthumous pardon to the late environmental rights campaigner Ken Saro Wiwa and eight other Ogoni men, known as the Ogoni Nine.
He also bestowed posthumous national honours on Saro Wiwa and his eight relatives.
Tinubu announced the pardon for the nine Ogonis, whom he hailed as national heroes, while speaking to a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday to commemorate Democracy Day.
He stated that others whose names will be released later in collaboration with the National Council of State would also be granted a presidential pardon.
He also bestowed the posthumous national honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger on Saro Wiwa and Officer of the Order of the Niger on his eight relatives.
The remaining eight 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 were charged with murder by a former Head of State, the late Sani Abacha, and were executed in 1995.
Their execution infuriated civil society organisations and the world community.
