MOSOP Urges Full Pardon For Ogoni 9

THE Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to consider full pardon for the nine Ogoni rights campaigners- Ken Saro-Wiwa; Nubari Kiobel; Nordu Eawo; Saturday Doobe; John Kpuinen; Paul Levura; Daniel Gbokoo; Felix Nuate and Baribor Bera- who were executed by the regime of the late General Sani Abacha.
MOSOP President, Fegalo Nsuke, in a statement, said the group considered the gesture announced by Tinubu during this year’s Democracy Day address as historic and a positive step towards healing the wounds of many decades in Niger Delta region, but added that a pardon will encourage the healing process; hence the call on him to go further by considering their formal exoneration.
Nsuke said: “It is a widely acknowledged that few administrations have dared to confront this painful legacy with such candour and daring. The President once again has distinguished himself among Nigerian leaders as one with the wisdom and courage to answer a longstanding prayer from an oppressed populace with compassion and clarity.
“We appreciate his recognition of the injustices endured by Saro-Wiwa and his compatriots, and his words acknowledging the moral wounds of their execution have been received with gratitude across the country and by many in the international community.
“It is appreciably and respectfully submitted that while the presidential pardon is significant and considered a vital milestone that opens the door to deeper restorative measures, a pardon, by its very nature, implies the existence of an offence.
“In the case of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his compatriots, it is clear that no legitimate crime was committed. The President himself acknowledged that their unjust execution should never have happened.
“Today, we correct the record and honour their courage in the face of tyranny. His “conviction” was the result of a deeply flawed and politically- motivated process that should never have occurred.”
The statement added: “We want to state that 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 Tinubu’s legacy as a leader not only of courage, but also of conscience.
“This administration has taken a bold step. History will surely honour it even more for completing the journey toward full justice.”