How Abacha military junta killed 4 youths plus Ogoni 9 – Falana
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has given a vivid account of how the Ogoni 4 and the Ogoni 9 were brutally killed by the Sani Abacha military junta in 1995.
Falana made this known at the 84th posthumous birthday lecture of Ken Saro-Wiwa in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
The senior lawyer, who along with Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, defended Ken Saro-Wiwa and other MOSOP leaders said that they withdrew from the proceedings when the special military tribunal frustrated them from tendering vital material evidence in favour of the accused persons.
“In a desperate bid to exploit the oil resources without control, Shell Petroleum Development Company was granted licenses by the Nigerian State to import arms and ammunition into the country under the pretext of protecting its assets.
“The weapons were later found in the hands of militant youths as communities were instigated to attack and fight themselves. This was done to divert the attention of the people while the oil-rich region was fully exploited by Shell and other oil companies.
“When the divide and rule tactics of the multinational companies failed to silence the Ogoni people, the Task Force led by Col. Paul Okintimo took up the assignment of recruiting misguided militants to kill the Ogoni 4.
“Hence, when the leaders were attacked and killed by the youths, the soldiers who were present at the scene of the crime did not make any arrests. The bodies of the deceased were taken away by the soldiers to an unknown place.
“As soon as Col Okintimo informed the military authorities of the killing of the Ogoni 4, the military governor of Rivers State, Col. Dauda Komo announced that Ken Saro-Wiwa and other MOSOP leaders would be held vicariously liable for the brutal murder of the Ogoni 4.
“The prejudicial statement was made by Col Komo before the commencement of investigation into the dastardly act.
“The charge of murder filed at the High Court of Rivers State against Ken and other MOSOP leaders was discontinued when the prosecutors pointed out to the junta that the evidence was too weak to secure the conviction of the Ogoni 9.
“On the orders of General Sani Abacha, a special military tribunal was constituted for the trial. The tribunal rejected the vital material evidence of the defence to pave the way for the conviction and death sentences passed on the Ogoni 9,” he disclosed.