A professor of philosophy in the University of Port Harcourt has faulted the call made by the apex socio-cultural and political organisation of the Ogoni ethnic group, KAGOTE, an acronym derived from the four Local Government Areas (LGA) in Ogoni: Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme; on President Muhammadu Buhari to grant presidential pardon to the late famous Ogoni environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa and 8 others.
President of KAGOTE, Dr. Peter Medee while reacting to the recognition bestowed on MKO Abiola, Gani Fawhenmi and Baba Gana Kingibe, had advised President Buhari to also heal the wounds of Ogoni people by granting a presidential pardon to Saro-Wiwa and 8 others.
However, Professor Andrew Efemini, while reacting to the request by KAGOTE on Facebook, said that it is misplaced for anyone to ask for a pardon on behalf of Ken Saro-Wiwa and others when it is obvious that they did nothing to warrant being murdered extra-judicially.
Professor Efemini noted that death through extra-judicial murder does not require pardon, adding that the Ogonis should challenge the matter in court and have the conviction upturned and formally request for a proper apology.
He wrote: “How can an Ogoni son call for presidential pardon for the Ogoni 9 including Ken Saro Wiwa?
” What did they do?
“Death acknowledged to be caused by judicial murder does not require a pardon.
” I expect challenge of their conviction up to the Supreme Court.
“After upturning their conviction, then an appropriate apology and honor can follow.
