The factional leadership of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to set up a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate and repudiate the irregularities of the 1995 tribunal that convicted the Ogoni 9.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Fegalo Nsuke, factional president of MOSOP, said the move would help formally clear the names of the slain activists and remove the “stains of injustice” from their legacy.
Nsuke commended Tinubu for granting a posthumous pardon to the nine executed campaigners, describing the gesture as “historic” and highly appreciated by the Ogoni people.
“We wish to express our position on the encouraging decisions of President Bola Tinubu, in announcing full pardon for the 9 Ogoni rights campaigners executed by the Nigerian government during the regime of General Sani Abacha,” he said.
The campaigners include Ken Saro-Wiwa, Dr Nubari Kiobel, Nordu Eawo, Saturday Doobee, John Kpuinen, Paul Levura, Daniel Gbokoo, Felix Nuate, and Baribor Bera.
Nsuke said while the pardon is commendable, it still suggests the existence of an offence which, according to him, never existed.
“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,” he said.
He added that even Tinubu acknowledged the executions were unjust and should never have happened.
Nsuke appealed to the president to go further by pursuing formal exoneration of the Ogoni 9.
“Such an exoneration would be a stronger moral and legal correction, ensuring that the stain of injustice no longer burdens their names.
“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,” he said.
He said such a step would further cement Tinubu’s legacy “as a leader not only of courage but of conscience”.
Nsuke added that while the present administration had taken a bold step, “history will surely honour it even more for completing the journey toward full justice”.