Ken Saro-Wiwa was framed, secret evidence shows

[Judi Lynn]

Source: The Independent

Ken Saro-Wiwa was framed, secret evidence shows
Witness statements accuse Nigerian military commander of ordering killings and taking bribes
By Andy Rowell and Eveline Lubbers
Sunday, 5 December 2010

Compelling new evidence suggests the Nigerian military killed four Ogoni elders whose murders led to the execution of the playwright and activist Ken Saro-Wiwa in 1995.

The evidence also reveals that the notorious military commander Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Okuntimo, whose troops were implicated in murder and rape, was in the pay of Shell at the time of the killings and was driven around in a Shell vehicle.

Since the time of Saro-Wiwa's death, Shell has insisted that it had no financial relationship with the Nigerian military, although it has admitted paying it "field allowances" on two occasions. It has consistently denied any widespread collusion and payments. However, The Independent on Sunday has gained exclusive access to witness accounts that were to be used in evidence in the case of Wiwa vs Shell, brought by Ken Saro-Wiwa's family. The case was settled last May for $15.5m, just days before it was due to start in New York. The settlement meant the testimonies were never made public.

They provide fresh insight into Shell's financial and logistical involvement with the Nigerian military and with Lt-Col Okuntimo.










Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/ken-sarowiwa-was-framed-secret-evidence-shows-2151577.html

[villager]

1. Most Americans still know nothing about any of this. I was involved with PEN

...at the time, trying to get Saro-Wiwa freed.

Our government was, of course, no help. (And this was under a "Democrat.")

We proposed a boycott of Shell, but you know the toughness of the American consumer when it comes to boycotting oil companies...

[WhiteTara]

4. to this day, I do not buy from Shell

nor from Exxon.

[bemildred]

2. Thanks for posting. nt

[alarimer]

3. No shit.

This is certainly no surprise to anyone who followed this horrible story. Democracy Now did a good job with it as they do with so many unreported stories.

[Javaman]

7. Same words came out of my mouth. nt

[abq e streeter]

5. 5th rec...I don't know if that gets this more visibility (?)

Sadly, this is not particularly a surprise. Been rereading The Shock Doctrine ,and this is yet another reminder that when the profits of the already wealthy are involved, the murder of innocents is just part of doing business.

[bluesmail]

6. I also boycott Shell for how they dealt (criminally dealt) with the execution

of him. Yes thanks for this.

[ronnie624]

8. Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

"Field allowances"?

Mmm hmm.

[glinda]

9. K & R