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.

One of the key witnesses due to testify was Boniface Ejiogu, Lt-Col Okuntimo's orderly in the Internal Security Task Force, a coalition of army, navy and police. Mr Ejiogu testified to standing guard as victims were raped and tortured while Lt-Col Okuntimo was in command. Asked if he ever saw his commander receive money from Shell, he said he witnessed it on two occasions.

Mr Ejiogu described in detail how, just days before the Ogoni elders were murdered, he drove with Lt-Col Okuntimo to Shell's base in Port Harcourt, where the officer received seven large bags of money. "I was there when other soldiers were carrying the Ghana Must Go bags," he testified. The bags were so heavy the soldiers had difficulty carrying them, and one fell open. "The thing opened," Mr Ejiogu said. "I saw it was money in bundles. He said, wow, this is money. I say, yes man, it is money."

On another occasion, Mr Ejiogu witnessed four bags being given by a Shell security official to Lt-Col Okuntimo at the official's house late at night.

Another witness, Raphael Kponee, also due to testify, was a policeman working for Shell. On a different occasion, he saw three bags being loaded into Lt-Col Okuntimo's pick-up truck by his driver and another driver in front of the security building at the Shell base. Shell officials have admitted that money was paid to the officer, but purely as field allowances for his men, who were protecting Shell property in Ogoniland.

MrEjiogu also offers compelling evidence as to who may have murdered the four Ogoni elders at a meeting on 21 May 1994. Saro-Wiwa was due to speak but was turned away by the military. Mr Ejiogu said he heard Lt-Col Okuntimo tell his task force commander to "waste them, in the army you waste them is when you are shooting rapidly".

Compelling evidence published by a UK-based newspaper, The Independent on Sunday, has shed light on how the late playwright and Ogoni activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, was framed up.

The newspaper  accused the military commander of the Internal Security Task Force stationed in the Niger Delta region, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Okuntimo, of ordering the killings of four Ogoni elders whose deaths led to the trial and hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa, with eight others in 1995. Okuntimo was also said to have taken bribes from Shell to carry out the killings.

The newspaper said it gained exclusive access to witness accounts that were to be used in evidence in the case of Wiwa vs Shell, brought by Saro-Wiwa's family.

udezue link=topic=563027.msg7282380#msg7282380 date[b:
=1291654661]
What goes around come around. [/b] The same way he betrayed Biafrans is the sameway his own immediate people betrayed him.

seanet02:

Any way Akinegba, did you know the role played by ojukwu in this event. Government witness.

seanet02:

akinegba, you are very funny, so the act of a single YORUBA man means the approval of the whole tribe. Stark ignorance

udezue:

The best oil in Nigeria is in Ogoniland,unfortunately it has been untapped ,unexpoited and will remain so because the people have disallowed the govt or any COY from exploration.

seanet02:

@chosen, ibos started backstabbing in this country, when they plotted the first coup, zik knew about it and travelled out days to the bloodshed by ibos, the other premiers from other region were killed yet you fool claim AWOLOWO betrayed you. Stark idiots

chosen04:

Cheer ignorance!!!!

Are you sure you know the true meaning of backstabbing? I seriously have my doubts.

Back to Topic
@Seanet02
What did Saro-Wiwe do to you region to deserve what he got from Paul Okuntimo, Oladipo Diya and other cohorts

udezue:

Bkbabe, Ojukwu owes Saro Wiwa no loyalty or sympathy u dumbass so back to the real question. What did he Wiwa do to the Yoruba in particular? Its very simple just like Adaka Boro, any Easterner who betrayed the East always got screwed in the rear by the North and West. Trying to flip the script lol

bk.babe97y:

First off, how u been? Second: WHERE THE HELL IS EZEUCHE? Hope he's good.

Third: Why arent we talking about the fact that Ojukwu was the Govt witness to Saro-Wiwa's hanging? Or that he went all over the world selling the justification why Saro-Wiwa had to be killed? Or that he visited Saro-Wiwa on the morning he was to be executed, spat in his face, kicked him in his stomach while he was tied up and greeted him with the now famous "Good Morning in the Evening" statement?!

oturugo:

Ape man, quit spreading falsehood here. Even of Ojukwu gives you Bianca, your numerous problems will not be solved. Hence, concentrate on your jobless life and shut your smelly mouth up about Ojukwu.Clown.

bk.babe97y:

And If I show u proof do u promise to kill urself on PPV?

Well, your Ibo so u'll deny the truth anytime any day so I aint even trying to waste my precious time!

bk.babe97y:

First off, how u been? Second: WHERE THE HELL IS EZEUCHE? Hope he's good.

Third: Why arent we talking about the fact that Ojukwu was the Govt witness to Saro-Wiwa's hanging? Or that he went all over the world selling the justification why Saro-Wiwa had to be killed? Or that he visited Saro-Wiwa on the morning he was to be executed, spat in his face, kicked him in his stomach while he was tied up and greeted him with the now famous "Good Morning in the Evening" statement?!

udezue:

First off, NONE OF your SORRY BUSINESS. Second:Do I look like EzeUche's keeper? Get off the man's nutz.

Look quit spreading falsehood. Ojukwu never touched Saro Wiwa and is not responsible for what happened to him. Even if he did send him to hell himself it wouldn't be a bad thing after all Wiwa committed treasonable offenses against Biafra Republic. The only thing is that he came and asked for forgiveness when Nigerian govt North and West turned on him like they did Adaka Boro.  Damn are u on drugs?

oturugo:

@Bk.Bingo.
This Bk.Bingo is so daft that he can believe any rubbish written about Ojukwu. Bingo, what made you believe that the writer of that Wikipaedia page was factual?.
Still you have not provided the proof or evidence where Ojukwu signed the alledged document. Also, where is your proof of him spitting, kicking and punching Saro Wiwa.
Still waiting for the evidence, you dirty son of a beast.