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Amnesty International has condemned the Nigerian government’s recent pardon of the Ogoni Nine, describing it as falling “far short of real justice.” The human rights organization issued this statement following the government’s decision on Wednesday to exonerate the group.
The Ogoni Nine were environmental activists who vocally opposed Shell and the Nigerian government over the environmental degradation caused by oil extraction in Ogoniland, a region in the Niger Delta. Following a harsh crackdown on protests, the activists were accused of murder, subjected to an unfair trial, convicted, and ultimately executed.
Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, welcomed the pardon but emphasized that broader accountability and reparations remain critical. Sanusi highlighted that Shell’s operations have resulted in toxic pollution affecting over 30 million people in the Niger Delta. Amnesty International notes that in the last decade, more than 13,500 residents of the region have filed claims against Shell for environmental damages.
Relatives of the Ogoni Nine have accused Shell of complicity in the activists’ unlawful detention and execution. Despite efforts to seek justice through courts in the United States and the Netherlands, both rulings favored Shell.
Environmental harm from Shell’s activities persists. Last year, a coalition of 40 Nigerian and international NGOs released a joint letter documenting at least 17.5 million liters of oil spillage from pipelines linked to Shell during the 2010s. The letter also criticized Shell for employing “legal gymnastics,” including the sale of subsidiaries, to evade liability for environmental damage.
Currently, Niger Delta communities have ongoing legal claims against Shell in the United Kingdom. However, the company has reportedly sought to delay these proceedings since 2021.
Excerpts from Jurist.com article by Chi Wai Hu | HKU Faculty of Law
