The Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF) has given the Federal Government of Nigeria one month Ultimatum to released the Ken Saro-Wiwa memorial bus impounded by Nigeria customs led by Col. Hamid Ali (rtd) or face massive protest.
PHSpectator recalls that Col. Hamid Ali (rtd), was part of the tribunal that sentenced the renowned environmentalist and minority rights activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others, otherwise known as Ogoni nine to death by hanging.
The Abacha regime set up the tribunal after accusing Saro-Wiwa of orchestrating the death of four Ogoni elders. After prolonged abuse, torture and intimidation of Mr. Wiwa’s counsel by the Abacha regime, the panel sentenced Saro-Wiwa and eight Ogoni activists to death by hanging .
Saro-Wiwa’s hanging on 10 November 1995 sparked international outrage and led to Nigeria’s suspension from the Commonwealth for four years, until the military handed power back to a civilian government in 1999. In 2009 Shell agreed to pay $15.5m (£9.6m) to settle a claim brought by relatives of the Ogoni nine, after it was accused of having collaborated with the federal government in the violation of their rights.
Also, Sokari Douglas Camp, the artist who created the bus while lamenting the seizure said “I made the bus in good faith as an educational tool and to raise awareness of the plight of the Ogoni people. It’s a deep shame that the Bus has been seized. I urge for the release of the ‘Living Memorial’ to Ken and the other Ogoni 8 so that this gift from allies in the UK can create a space to reimagine the future of Nigeria. This is a call for freedom of expression to both honour the people who have fought for justice in Ogoniland and the people struggling for justice today.”
Speaking to journalist at a function marking the 22nd anniversary of Ken Saro-Wiwa’s death in Khana LGA on Thursday 9th November, 2017. National Coordinator of the OYF, Engr. Yamaabana Legborsi said all efforts by the federation and other pressure groups to secure the release of the bus has failed.
Yamaabana posited that, “on the expiration of this ultimatum, we will mobilize Ogoni people for massive protest in strategic locations and until government release our property”.
