Full List: Tinubu Grants Ken Saro-Wiwa, Soyinka, Femi Falana, Others Presidential Pardon

• President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted a posthumous presidential pardon and conferred national honours on the late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and the eight other members of the Ogoni Nine
• Tinubu made the declaration during his address to a joint session of the National Assembly to commemorate Nigeria’s Democracy Day on Thursday, June 12, 2025
• Exercising his constitutional powers under the Prerogative of Mercy, President Tinubu described the Ogoni Nine as "national heroes" who had fought valiantly for justice, equity, and the environment

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements

FCT, Abuja - On Thursday, June 12, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu granted presidential pardon and conferred national honours on the Ogoni Nine, which led to the death of the late environmental activist and writer Ken Saro-Wiwa.

Ogoni Nine: Tinubu grants pardon to Ken Saro-Wiwa, 8 others

As reported by BBC, Tinubu announced the pardon to the nine Ogonis, who he described as national heroes, while exercising his powers under the Prerogative of Mercy during an address to a joint session of the National Assembly in commemoration of Democracy Day on Thursday.

He said others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State would also receive a presidential pardon.

He also conferred posthumous national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger on Ken Saro Wiwa, and Officer of the Order of the Niger on his eight kinsmen.

The eight others are;

1. Saturday Dobee,
2. Nordu Eawo,
3. Daniel Gbooko,
4. Paul Levera,
5. Felix Nuate,
6. Baribor Bera,
7. Barinem Kiobel, and
8. John Kpuine.

Tinubu said:

“Furthermore, I also confer posthumous national honours on Ken Saro Wiwa (CON), the leader of the Ogoni Nine, and his fellow travellers, Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON), Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and John Kpuine (OON).

“I shall also be exercising my powers under the prerogative of mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State.”

Saro Wiwa and his colleagues had been accused of murder by the administration of a former Head of State, the late Sani Abacha, and executed in 1995.

Their execution drew the ire of civil society organisations and the international community.

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NASS adopts June 12 annual presidential address day

In another development, Legit.ng reported that the National Assembly has formally declared June 12 as the official day for the President of Nigeria to deliver an address to a joint session of the legislature.

NASS made the declaration during the 26th Democracy Day anniversary held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

During a special session on Thursday, June 12, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision following a motion raised by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

Source: Legit.ng