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Ogoni Nine: Court Begins Witness Hearing Against Shell’s Human Rights Abuses,’Morrow
The Kiobel versus Shell case resumes at The Hague, tomorrow, and would for the first time in 24 years, hear accounts from individuals who accuse Shell of offering them bribes to give fake testimonies that led to the sentencing and execution of the ‘Ogoni Nine’ on November 10, 1995.
The Ogoni Nine – who include Esther Kiobel’s husband – were sentenced to death and executed by the late Gen Sani Abacha military regime, over their alleged involvement in the murder of some prominent Ogoni leaders in Giokoo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In a statement, Amnesty International argued that “a witness hearing examining Shell’s role in the execution of the Ogoni Nine in the 1990s is a key opportunity to hold the oil giant to account over its alleged complicity in human rights abuses”.
In the statement, Amnesty International’s Business and Human Rights Researcher, Mark Dummett, said, “For more than 20 years, Shell has escaped scrutiny over its role in these tragic events. We applaud the courage and persistence of Esther Kiobel and the other women who have brought this case.
“This case exemplifies how hard it can be for the victims of human rights abuses to hold a powerful multinational corporation to account”, he added.
Esther and three other women – Victoria Bera, Blessing Eawo and Charity Levula – accuse Shell of being complicit in the unlawful arrest, detention and execution of their husbands.
The men were hanged in 1995 along with renowned activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and four other men after they were convicted in a blatantly unfair trial.
The ‘Ogoni Nine’, as they were known, were accused of being involved in the murder of four Ogoni chiefs known to be opponents of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP).
Led by Ken Saro-Wiwa, MOSOP had protested against oil pollution caused by Shell’s operations in the Ogoniland region.
“These four Nigerian widows represent the cause of the Ogoni Nine, as well as countless residents of the Niger Delta who feel that their rights have been trampled on by Shell”, Dummett said.
It would be recalled that Amnesty supported Esther Kiobel’s legal team to bring the case to the Netherlands in 2017, and detailed Shell’s role in the arrests and executions in a briefing, In The Dock.
The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.
The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee
highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.
“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.
Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.
The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.
