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The original source for this was at http://www.moles.org/ProjectUnderground/motherlode/shell/timeline.html


ALL FOR SHELL

The Ogoni Struggle - A Project Underground Report

Researched and written by Andrew Rowell and Stephen Kretzmann
Initial Research by Lowenstein Nigeria Project, Yale Law School
First Edition November 1, 1996, Last updated March 4, 1997

“This is it – they are going to arrest us all and execute us. All for Shell.”
Ken Saro-Wiwa, 10 days before he was arrested, May, 1994.

On November 10, 1995, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists were hanged in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The executions ended a 17 month stay in police custody for the activists and followed a trial that was condemned universally as a sham. Their only crime was exposing the Shell Petroleum Development Company's role in destroying their homeland, dismantling their communities and killing their brothers and sisters.

The Ogoni people continue to face terrible hardships. Since forcing Shell to withdraw most of its operations from their 404 square mile homeland, their communities have been subject to brutal repression. An independent report by the World Council of Churches estimates that at least 2,000 have been killed, approximately 30,000 have been displaced within Nigeria, and many Ogoni have fled into exile. Today, the leaders of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) are scattered throughout Europe and North America. Forged in this fire, the Ogoni have become an unshakable force in the struggle for democracy and the global movement to demand corporate accountability.

In the year since Saro-Wiwa's execution made global headlines, Shell and Nigeria's government have spent millions retaining public relations firms to improve the company's image. Simultaneously, conditions in Ogoni have only worsened. According to MOSOP, over the last year 36 people were judicially executed, 28 were detained, and the military conducted brutal and murderous raids on 19 communities. The Rivers State Internal Security Task Force, a special military unit that was created in response to MOSOP, is said to be more active than ever. Today, Ogoni is an occupied land.

In his final statement to the military tribunal, Ken Saro-Wiwa said, "I and my colleagues are not the only ones on trial. Shell is here on trial... The company has, indeed, ducked this particular trial, but its day will surely come... for there is no doubt in my mind that the ecological war that the company has waged in the Delta will be called to question sooner than later, and the crimes of that war will be duly punished. The crime of the company's dirty war against the Ogoni people will also be punished."

The Ogoni have not ceased in their struggle for environmental justice. On January 4th (Ogoni Day) 1997, Ledum Mitee, the Acting President of MOSOP, addressed those still at home, saying, "Your courage has demystified the oppressor. You agonies attracted world attention and deprived the oppressor a slumbering conscience. Your discipline in the face of provocations has inspired hope and rewarded faith in non-violence as a weapon for fighting oppression. There is no doubt about our ultimate victory."

3/97

This document outlines important incidents in the Ogoni struggle, as it has unfolded, arranged within a time-line. We encourage the reader to use these accounts as an informational foundation, from which we hope the reader will then seek out his or her own primary sources. All For Shell will be updated periodically, and future versions will be available on the web, set up with direct links to the source documents.

TIMELINE

1958 — Shell starts producing oil in the Delta.

4/1970 — In the first signs of the current conflict, a petition, signed by Ogoni Chiefs representing "the entire people of Ogoni Division" was handed to the Military Governor of Rivers State complaining about Shell, who was operating in a joint venture with BP. The company was "seriously threatening the well-being, and even the very lives" of the Ogoni, according to the petition. Shell-BP responded by saying that "We have, however been extremely careful; to ensure that our operations cause minimal disturbance to the people ... There can be no doubt, however, that the incidental benefits accruing to Ogoni Division from Shell-BP's presence there greatly outweigh any disadvantages". Chief W. Nzidee, F. Yowika, N. Ndegwe, E. Kobani, O. Nalelo, Chief A. Ngei & O. Ngofa, Humble Petition of Complaint on Shell-BP Operations In Ogoni Division, Letter to His Excellency the Military Governor, 1970, 25 April

7/70 — There was a major blow-out at the Bomu oilfield. It continued for three weeks, causing widespread pollution and outrage. "Our rivers, rivulets and creeks are all covered with crude oil" wrote the Dere Youths Association, "We no longer breathe the natural oxygen, rather we inhale lethal and ghastly gases. Our water can no longer be drunk unless one wants to test the effect of crude oil on the body. We no longer use vegetables, they are all polluted". P. Badom, A Protest Presented to Representatives of the Shell-BP Dev.Co of Nig. Ltd. by the Dere Youths Association. Against the Company's Lack of Interest in the Sufferings of Dere People which Sufferings are Caused as a Result of the Company's Operations, No Date

1979 — The government passed a law transferring ownership of all subsoil resources to the federal government. The revenues were to be fairly distributed throughout the states.

1980 — The Iko people wrote to Shell in 1980 demanding "compensation and restitution of our rights to clean air, water and a viable environment where we can source for our means of livelihood". The pressing demands were for roads, water, a health centre and school. Environmental Rights Action, Shell in Iko - The Story of Double Standards, 1995, 10 July

1982 — The Iko community organised a peaceful rally demanding that Shell be a "good neighbor to us". Shell responded by calling for the police who arrested some of the demonstrators. Environmental Rights Action, Shell in Iko - The Story of Double Standards, 1995, 10 July

1982 — The Allocation of Revenue Act No. 1 established the following revenue allocation from petroleum: 55% to the federal government, 32.5% to the state governments, 10% to the local governments, 1% to a fund for the amelioration of the environment, and 1.5% to the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission. It was amended by Decree 36 of 1984. The Ogoni Crisis: A Case-Study of Military Repression in Southeastern Nigeria, Human Rights Watch/Africa, July 1995, Vol. 7, No. 5, p.7.

1987 — The Iko community once again held a peaceful demonstration against Shell. This time, the notorious Mobile Police Force (MPF), locally known as "kill-and-go" were sent to quash the demonstration. According to the Nigerian-based Environmental Rights Action, 40 houses were destroyed and 350 people made homeless by the MPF's attack. Although a panel of inquiry was set up to investigate the "unwarranted behavior of policemen drafted to maintain peace in Iko", the results have never been made public. Environmental Rights Action, Shell in Iko - The Story of Double Standards, 1995, 10 July

6/26/90 — Ogoni leaders signed the Ogoni Bill of Rights. The Bill called for "political control of Ogoni affairs by Ogoni people, control and use of Ogoni economic resources for Ogoni development, adequate and direct representation as of right for Ogoni people in all Nigerian national institutions and the right to protect the Ogoni environment and ecology from further degradation". Ogoni Bill of Rights, Presented to the Government and People of Nigeria With an Appeal to the International Community, 1991, December

10/2/90 — The Ogoni Bill of Rights was presented to General Babangida, and the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), a non-violent action group, was formed.

1990 — Shell admitted that there were some 63 protests against the company this year. D. Abimboye, Massacre At dawn, African Concord, 1990, 3 December, pp27

10/29/90 — The Etche people peacefully demonstrated against Shell at Umuechem. J. R. Udofia, the divisional manager of SPDC's eastern division wrote to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police. In a letter entitled "Threat of Disruption of our Operations at Umuechem by Members of the Umuechem Community", the letter read "we request that you urgently provide us with security protection (preferably Mobile Police Force) at this location." J. R. Udofia, Threat of Disruption of our Operations at Umuechem by Members of the Umuechem Community, Letter to Commissioner of Police, 1990, 29 October

  • Up to eighty people were killed and 495 homes destroyed. The official Inquiry into Umuechem was suppressed, however it blamed the police for the massacre. This said, community frustration was evident in the official report. "These [Shell Petroleum Development Company] drilling operations have had serious adverse effects on the Umuechem people who are predominantly farmers, in that their lands had been acquired and their crops damaged with little or no compensation, and are thus left without farmlands or means of livelihood" said the Umuechem community in their evidence to the official inquiry "Their farmlands are covered by oil spillage/blow-out and rendered unsuitable for farming."Hon O. Justice Inko-Tariah, Chief J. Ahaiakwo, B. Alamina, Chief G. Amadi, Commission of Inquiry in to the Causes and Circumstances of the Disturbances that Occurred at Umuechem in the Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1990
  • Shell distanced itself from the killings, stating that "the problems which gave rise to the demonstrations and the consequent police action were not really of Shell's making at all". R.Tookey, Letter to Mrs Farmer concerning Shell's operations in Nigeria, 1993, 11 June

8/26/91 — The Bill of Rights were amended to authorize MOSOP to make an appeal to the international community for assistance.

3/92 — An independent report into the conflict between Shell and another community, the Omudiogo, concluded that "Shell Petroleum Development Company has been indifferent, insensitive to the requests and plight of the people of Omudiogo." It continued that "the conflict could have undoubtedly been averted if Shell Petroleum was responsible and conscious of her social obligation to the host community." E. Bello et al, On the War Path, African Concord, 1992, August, pp20-21

1992 — The revenue allocation formula was changed so that the proceeds to the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission received 3% of all proceeds. The Ogoni Crisis: A Case-Study of Military Repression in Southeastern Nigeria, Human Rights Watch/Africa, July 1995, Vol. 7, No. 5, p. 7.

June, 1992 — Chief Dr. H. Dappa-Biriye led a delegation of River Chiefs to the Earth Summit and released a report entitled the Endangered Environment of the Niger Delta - Constraints and Strategies for Sustainable Development. It warned that due to climate change and subsidence from oil operations "within the next two decades, about a 40km wide strip of the Niger Delta and its people would be submerged and rendered extinct". Chief Dr H. Dappa-Biriye, Chief R. Briggs, Chief Dr B. Idoniboye-Obu, Professor D. Fubara, The Endangered Environment of the NigerDelta - Constraints and Strategies, An NGO Memorandum of the Rivers Chiefs and Peoples Conference, for the World Conference of Indigenous Peoples on Environment and Development and the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 1992, pp2

7/92 — Ken Saro-Wiwa addressed the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Peoples in Geneva.

7/92 — The Mobile Police Force were once again sent to quell an anti-Shell demonstration at Bonny. The Force killed a 21 year old man, shot 30 people and beat 150 individuals. The protestors were complaining that Shell had not provided them with basic facilities - water, roads, electricity - despite being in the area for over 20 years. E. Bello et al, On the War Path, African Concord, 1992, August, pp18

7/12/92 — The Uzure community also demonstrated against the company. "Uzure has no light, water and hospitals" complained one protestor. E. Bello et al, On the War Path, African Concord, 1992, August, pp19

10/92 — The Movement for the Survival of the Izon (Ijaw) Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), produced its own charter, demanding control over their natural resources and the restoration of ecological damage caused by oil companies. Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria: The Ogoni Crisis: A Case Study of Military Repression in Southeastern Nigeria, 1995, July, Vol. 7, No.5, pp33; A. Rowell, Shell-Shocked, The Environmental and Social Costs of Living with Shell in Nigeria, Greenpeace International, 1994, July, pp16

11/92 — Reflecting the growing international concern of the Ogoni issue, the film "Heat of the Moment" was shown on Channel Four in the UK. The film was highly critical of Shell.

12/3/92 — The Ogoni people gave the three firms operating in Ogoni (NNPC, Shell Petroleum Development Corp, and Chevron) 30 days to comply with demands for US $4 billion for destroying the environment and US $6 billion for unpaid royalties. K. Saro-Wiwa, A Month And A Day, Penguin, 1995, pp102

1/4/93 — 300,000 Ogoni celebrated the Year of Indigenous Peoples by peacefully protesting against Shell's activities and the environmental destruction of Ogoniland. It was the largest demonstration against an oil company ever. "We have woken up to find our lands devastated by agents of death called oil companies. Our atmosphere has been totally polluted, our lands degraded, our waters contaminated, our trees poisoned, so much so that our flora and fauna have virtually disappeared," said an Ogoni leader to the crowd. "We are asking for the restoration of our environment; we are asking for the basic necessities of life - water, electricity, roads, education; we are asking, above all, for the right to self-determination so that we can be responsible for our resources and our environment." C. Bakwuye, Ogonis Protest over Oil Revenue, Daily Sunray, 1993, 6 January, pp1 & pp20

4th January 1993 has become known as Ogoni Day.

1/93 — present - Various contradictory statements from Shell have been made over when it pulled out of Ogoni. In its Briefing Paper the Ogoni Issue Shell stated that "SPDC withdrew all its staff from Ogoni in January 1993", and in a statement by Brian Anderson on 8th November 1995, Shell stated "We withdrew our staff on 19th January 1993, and have not planned to resume operations since that time". Despite this, contractors were working on Shell's behalf in Ogoni throughout 1993 and Shell's oil is still transported through Ogoni.

2/93 — SPDC and Shell International Petroleum Company met in The Hague and London to discuss the internationalization of the Ogoni issue, partly as a result of the film "Heat of the Moment." Company officials discussed the need for environmental improvements especially in relation to spills, flares, air and water quality. They also proposed that "SPDC and SIPC PA departments to keep each other more closely informed to ensure that movements of key players, what they say and to whom is more effectively monitored to avoid unpleasant surprises and adversely affect the reputation of the Group as a whole." SPDC, Meeting at Central Offices on Community Relations and the Environment (15/16th February in London, 18th February in the Hague), Draft Minutes, 1993

4/18/93 — Ken Saro Wiwa was arrested at Port Harcourt International Airport and held for 16 hours without charge, but then released. He was rearrested five days later. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp49

4/29/93 — Peaceful demonstrators disrupted oil production at Shell's Forcados base for two days. Nigerian Protesters Disrupt Shell Oil Activity, The Reuter European Business Report, Apr. 29,1993.

4/28/93 — A contractor working for Shell, Willbros began bulldozing crops under the protection of Nigerian soldiers on farmland in Biara, in preparation for the construction of the Rumueke-Bomu pipeline. Around 10,000 Ogoni held a peaceful demonstration to protest the construction. The Ogoni Crisis: A Case-Study of Military Repression in Southeastern Nigeria, Human Rights Watch/Africa, July 1995, Vol. 7, No. 5, p. 10; Richard Boele, Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni in Nigeria, May 1, 1995, p. 23.

4/30/93 — Willbros called in government troops in response to the demonstrations. Eleven people were injured when the security forces open fire. While attempting to collect what remained of her crops, Karalolo Korgbara was shot, later losing her arm as a result. According to a letter from Willbros to SPDC "Fortunately there was a military presence to control the situation." The Ogoni Crisis: A Case-Study of Military Repression in Southeastern Nigeria, Human Rights Watch/Africa, July 1995, Vol. 7, No. 5, p. 10.

5/2/93 — The Government passed the Treason and Treasonable Offenses Decree 1993, making the simple call for minority autonomy a treasonable offence, punishable by death. It became known as the "Ken Saro-Wiwa Decree".

5/3/93 — Agbarator Otu died after being shot in the back by Nigerian soldiers, whilst protesting at the pipe-line. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp49

5/4/93 — Concerning the construction of the pipe-line, a letter from SPDC to the Governor of Rivers State requested the "usual assistance of His Excellency to enable the project to proceed". J. Udofia, Disruption of Work on the 36" Rumuekpe-Bomu Trunkline

5/16/93 — Saro-Wiwa's passport was seized as he attempted to leave for London. The following week, he managed to leave for London. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp49

5/19/93 — Amnesty International issued an "Urgent Action" request, concerned about possible extrajudicial executions by the military. Amnesty International, Possible Extrajudicial Execution/ Legal Concern, 1993, 19 May;

6/2/93 — MOSOP voted to boycott the presidential elections, which lead to the resignation of Dr. Leton, MOSOP President and Chief Kobani, Deputy President. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp49-50

6/93 - 8/93 — According to the Ogoni villagers of Baranwala-Botem, Shell allowed oil to spill for 40 days before intervening. C. McGreal, Spilt Oil Brews Up A Political Storm, The Guardian, 1993, 11 August

6/11/93 — Ken Saro-Wiwa's passport was seized and he was prevented from traveling to the UN Conference on Human Rights in Vienna. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp50

6/12/93 — The Ogoni boycotted the Presidential elections. The results were cancelled by General Babangida. Moshood Abiola, the President-elect, was promptly jailed.

6/21/93 — Saro-Wiwa was arrested with N.G. Dude and Kabari Nwiee, other Ogoni activists, and charged with six counts of unlawful assembly and conspiring to publish a seditious pamphlet. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp50

6/21/93 — Soldiers were moved into Port Harcourt, in response to demonstrations about the arrests. MOSOP reported indiscriminate beatings and arrests. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp50

7/6/93 — Saro-Wiwa was elected President of MOSOP in absentia. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp50

7/8/93 — Due to ill-health Saro-Wiwa was taken to a Police clinic. Later that month, he was moved to a hospital.

7/9/93 — 136 Ogoni were massacred, when they returned by boat from Cameroon, supposedly by the neighboring tribe the Andoni. This incident marks the beginning of brutal so-called ethnic clashes between the Ogoni and neighbouring tribes such as the Okrika and Ndoki. There is overwhelming evidence of Government involvement. Over 1,000 Ogoni were killed in the clashes. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp50; Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria: The Ogoni Crisis: A Case Study of Military Repression in Southeastern Nigeria, 1995, July, Vol. 7, No.5

19/7/93 — Saro-Wiwa suffered serious heart problems during interrogation, resulting in him falling unconscious. Medical advice that he be transferred to an intensive care unit was ignored. UNPO, Saro-Wiwa Falls Unconscious After Interrogation, 1993, 19 July

7/20/93 — The majority of Ogoni police were removed from Ogoni. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995,1 May, pp50

7/22/93 — Saro-Wiwa was released from prison. (The account of his detention published in the book A Month and a Day.)

8/5/93 — Over 100 Ogoni were killed in the town at Kaa, on the Ogoni and Andoni border. The town was effectively destroyed, and 8,000 were made homeless. Soldiers later testified that they were involved in the attack. MOSOP blamed the military for inciting the clash and SPDC for its complicity. 20 similar incidents were to occur over the coming months. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp50; Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria: The Ogoni Crisis: A Case Study of Military Repression in Southeastern Nigeria, 1995, July, Vol. 7, No.5; A. Rowell, Green Backlash - Global Subversion of the Environmental Movement, Routledge, 1996

8/4/93 — Shell accused Saro-Wiwa of undertaking "emotive and exaggerated attacks" on Shell. A. Brak, Letter to P. Gilding, Greenpeace, 1993, 4 August

8/27/93 — President Ibraham Babangida resigned, and Ernest Shonekan, a former Shell official was named head of the interim government.

9/93 — A Peace Committee, headed by Claude Ake was set up to stop the Andoni / Ogoni violence. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp50

10/4/93 — 5,000 people demonstrated against an Elf refinery in Obagi, which led to crackdowns by the Mobile Police Force over the coming months(MPF). A. Rowell, Green Backlash - Global Subversion of the Environmental Movement, Routledge, 1996, pp296

10/6/93 — A Peace Agreement was signed between the Andoni and Ogoni, but without Saro-Wiwa's signature. R. Boele, Ogoni Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp50

10/20/93 — A Shell inspection team entered Ogoni with Armed escort to assess facilities, "with a view to resuming operations at the earliest time". R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp51

10/17/93 — An oil spill occurred at the KoroKoro oil field.

10/25/93 — Two Ogoni, Paul Sunday and Mboo Ndike, were wounded, and Nne Uabari was killed by soldiers, who had been transported by Shell, in the company's words, to "dialogue" with the community. N. Ashton-Jones, Shell Oil In Nigeria, 1994, August

11/7/93 — In retaliation for the murder, two fire-trucks were set on fire at KoroKoro. Nick Ashton-Jones, Letter to UNPO Regarding UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, February, 1995 17-26, 21st June, 1995

11/17/93 — General Sani Abacha rose to power in a palace coup. The regime dissolved all political parties and democratic institutions, suspended the 1979 Constitution, and cracked down on all opposition. He instigated the main decision making organ as the military-dominated Provisional Ruling Council (PRC), which rules by decree. He also passed a law criminalising the obstruction of economic activities, punishable by death.

11/29/93 — Villagers protested outside of a local Agip terminal. Navy members and the MPF retaliated with teargas, shots in the air and beatings. Villagers were forced to escape by swimming through a mixture of oil and water in a drainage ditch. For the next nine months all access roads to the village were blocked. The Ogoni Crisis: A Case-Study of Military Repression in Southeastern Nigeria, Human Rights Watch/Africa, July 1995, Vol. 7, No. 5, p. 35.

12/93 — Over 90 Ogoni were killed in violent clashes, supposedly by the Okrika. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp51

12/1/93 — P. B. Watts, a Managing Director for SPDC, wrote to the Inspector General of Police, confirming what had occurred at a meeting on the 23 November. Watts confirmed that Shell wanted to increase the number of Spy Police or supernumerary police guards, and wished to upgrade firearms for "vehicle and marine patrols". He added that "we must emphasize that SPDC produces more than 50 per cent of Nigeria's oil which has a consequential major impact on the country's economy. Watts also wrote that "we also reiterate our appreciation for the excellent co-operation we have received from the Nigerian Police Force in helping to preserve the security of our operations". P. B. Watts, Letter to the Inspector General of Police, SPDC, 1993, 1 December

13/12/93 — The Rivers State Governor Ada George was replaced by a Military Commander Lt. Col Komo. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp51

12/15/93 — V. A. Oteri, then Shell's security advisor, requested by letter an audience with the police to discuss "crucial matters relating to the disruption of our operations." P. Ghazi & C. Duodu, How Shell Tried To Buy Berettas for Nigerians, The Observer, 1996, 11 February

12/28/93 — Saro-Wiwa's brother Owens and Ledum Mitee were arrested and detained without charge until the 4th January. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp51

1/2/94 — Saro-Wiwa was placed under house arrest, which lifted on 4th January. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp51

1/94 — The Rivers State Internal Security Task Force under Lt.Col Okuntimo was created. (Its members are drawn from the Second Amphibious Brigade, Port Harcourt and members of the MPF, air force and navy.) The Ogoni Crisis: A Case-Study of Military Repression in Southeastern Nigeria, Human Rights Watch/Africa, July 1995, Vol. 7, No. 5, p. 14

1/19/94 — V. Oteri again wrote again to the Police requesting "for the supply of 150,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition ... we also wish to apply for supply of semi Automatic Weapons". V. Oteri, Letter to the Inspector General of Police, Re: Acquisition of Ammunition and Upgrade of Weapons, 1994, 19 January

2/12/94 — Violence erupted between police and Obagi villagers over a computer that had purportedly been stolen from Elf's premises. Police returned on 2/19/94 and looted homes and beat and shot individuals indiscriminately.

2/21/94 — Residents of Rumuobiokani staged a peaceful protest outside Shell's facility in order to demand a meeting with a SPDC. A Shell security agent ordered the demonstrators to disperse. Some time later, armed soldiers and members of the MPF arrived. The forces fired indiscriminately, made arrests and beat demonstrators. Five people were shot. Shell admitted that the arrival of these forces in this context was "embarrassing". The Ogoni Crisis: A Case-Study of Military Repression in Southeastern Nigeria, Human Rights Watch/Africa, July 1995, Vol. 7, No. 5, p. 37-8.

3/31/94 — A further letter from Oteri entitled "Acquisition of Ammunition and Upgrade of Arms" called for a "definite reply" and warned of a "serious slippage in our program, especially training of armed men and upgrading of weapons." Polly Ghazi and Cameroon Duodu, How Shell Tried To Buy Berettas for Nigerians, The Observer, February 11, 1996 at 21.

4/16/94 — Two Ogoni villages were ransacked and burnt by soldiers. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp51

4/18/94 — Oteri wrote again to the Inspector General of Police to "confirm that the acquired weapons will be used only by the men of The Nigerian Police Force attached to Shell for its operations. We also wish to confirm that we will be prepared to pay the cost of acquisition by your nominated dealer/supplier." It then requested the Nigerian police's director to "immediately place orders on our behalf and send us the invoices for settlement." V. Oteri, Letter to the Inspector General of Police Re: Acquisition of Ammunition and Upgrade of Weapons, 1994, 18 April

4/21/94 — A Memo was sent from Lieutenant Colonel Komo, the Head of Rivers State, to Major Okuntimo, the head of the newly-formed Internal Security Task Force, entitled Restoration of Law and Order in Ogoniland. It gave details for an extensive military presence in Ogoni, drawing resources from the army, air force, navy, and police, including both the Mobile Police Force and conventional units. In a move meant to facilitate the reopening of oil installations, one of the missions of this operation was to ensure that those "carrying out business ventures ... within Ogoniland are not molested". The Commissioner of Police, Restoration of Law and Order in Ogoni Land, Operation Order No 4/94, 1994, 21 April, pp1

  • Reports of extra-judicial killings and detentions surfaced.

5/12/94 — Saro-Wiwa, commenting on the memo above, says "This is it -- they are going to arrest us all and execute us. All for Shell". Saro-Wiwa was in London at the time, but maintained that he had to return to Nigeria. Steve Kretzmann, personal communication with Ken Saro-Wiwa 5/12/94

5/12/94 — Okuntimo sent a "restricted" memo to Komo remarking that "Shell operations still impossible unless ruthless military operations are undertaken for smooth economic activities to commence". To counter this, Okuntimo recommended: "Wasting operations during MOSOP and other gatherings making constant military presence justifiable; ... wasting operations coupled with psychological tactics .. restrictions of unauthorized visitors especially those from Europe to the Ogoni." Major P. Okuntimo, RSIS Operations: Law and Order in Ogoni, Etc, Memo from the Chairman of Rivers State Internal Security (RSIS) to His Excellency, the Military Administrator, Restricted, 1994, 12 May

5/94 — Shell denied causing environmental devastation in the Niger Delta in its latest Briefing Sheet - "Operations In Nigeria" - "While there are some environmental problems in the Niger Delta there certainly has not been devastation", said Shell in an often repeated quotation. This is also the first time that Shell admitted to causing any environmental problems. SIPC, Operations in Nigeria, 1994, May

5/94 — Villagers demonstrated against Chevron in Opeukebo. The police sunk 16 boats in retaliation. The Ogoni Crisis: A Case-Study of Military Repression in Southeastern Nigeria, Human Rights Watch/Africa, July 1995, Vol. 7, No. 5, p. 33

5/21/94 — Four moderate Ogoni leaders, Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Samuel Orage and Theophilus Orage, were killed in Gokana. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp52 5/22/94 - Ken Saro-Wiwa, Ledum Mitee and several others were arrested in connection to the deaths of the four Ogoni leaders, although not formally charged. Saro-Wiwa or Mitee were not anywhere near the murder scene. Amnesty International issued a statement that Saro-Wiwa's arrest was "part of the continuing suppression by the Nigerian authorities of the Ogoni people's campaign against the oil companies". Amnesty International, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Writer and President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Urgent Action, 1994, 24 May

  • Amnesty declared Saro-Wiwa a "prisoner of conscience - held because of his non-violent political activities." Okuntimo ordered that Saro-Wiwa "be taken to an unknown place and be chained legs and hands and not to be given food ... I cannot allow anybody to come and spoil my job". M. Adekeye, The Rwanda Here, The News, 1994, 8 August, pp11
  • Saro-Wiwa was routinely tortured in prison, put in leg-irons, and denied access to family, friends, a lawyer and medication.
  • The Internal Security Force, "ostensibly searching for those directly responsible for the killings", started "deliberately terrorizing the whole community, assaulting and beating indiscriminately", according to Amnesty. Amnesty International, Nigeria: Military Government Clampdown on Opposition, 1994, 11 November, pp6-7
  • Over the next few months, hundreds of Ogoni were arrested, beaten, intimidated and killed. Many young girls, older women and pregnant women were raped. Thousands fled in terror into the bush as Okuntimo's soldiers looted hundreds of villages destroying houses in a systematic campaign of terror to "sanitize Ogoni". O. Douglas, Ogoni: Four Days of Brutality and Torture, Liberty, 1994, May- August, pp22; J. Vidal, Born of Oil, Buried in Oil, The Guardian, 1995, 4 January; W. Soyinka, Nigeria's Long Steep, Bloody Slide, The New York Times, 1994, 22 August

5/23/94 — Lt.Col. Komo blamed the killings on "reckless and irresponsible terror group of the MOSOP element" and accused Saro-Wiwa of "a dictator who has no accommodation and no room for any dissenting view". M. Birnbaum, Nigeria: Fundamental Rights Denied: Report of the Trial of Ken Saro-Wiwa and Others, ARTICLE 19 in Association with the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and the Law Society of England and Wales, 1995, June, pp27

6/24/94 — Oteri wrote again to the Inspector General of Police enclosing a Materials Requisition Form. It included 130 Beretta 9mm caliber submachine guns whose delivery date was put at 27 July 1994, 200,000 rounds of ammunition and 30 pump action shot guns. The Form listed XM Federal of Hampstead, London as the suggested supplier. V. A. Oteri, Letter to the Inspector General of Police, Re Acquisition of Ammunition and Upgrade of Weapons, with Material Requisition Form, 1994, 24 June

6/26/94 — British National, Nick-Ashton Jones, and Civil Liberties Lawyers Oronto Douglas and Uche Onyeagucha visited Ledum Mitee at Bori Military Camp. They were detained by Okuntimo for four days and flogged with an electrical cable. Uche Onyeagucha's face was also kicked by a soldiers boot. During the detention Okuntimo told Douglas "Shell company has not been fair to him in these Operations". He said he has been risking his life and that of his soldiers to protect Shell oil installations. He said his soldiers are not been (sic) paid as they were used to". O. Douglas, Ogoni: Four Days of Brutality and Torture, Liberty, 1994, May-August, pp22

  • Nick Ashton-Jones also recalls what Okuntimo said: "That he was doing it all for Shell ... But he was not happy because the last time he had asked Shell to pay his men their out-station allowances he had been refused which was not the usual procedure." N. Ashton Jones, Letter to Author, 1995, 9 August; N. Ashton Jones, Detention Notes, 1994, 2 July

6/28/94 — Saro-Wiwa was subjected to a three day interrogation session by the State Intelligence and Investigation Bureau. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp52

6/28/94 — A Court Hearing was scheduled at the High Court in Port Harcourt to hear the case against Saro-Wiwa and Mitee. The defendants were prevented from attending and the hearing did not take place. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp52

7/4/94 — Strikes were held by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the National Labour Congress (NLC) in a campaign to force General Abacha's regime to accept democratic rule. Days later thousands join the strikes. Many union leaders were detained. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp52

7/11/94 — A second court hearing was scheduled for Saro-Wiwa and Mitee. Again the defendants were prevented from attending. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp52

7/18/94 — A third hearing was again scheduled but abandoned. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp53

7/27/94 — Donald Ugbaja, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, wrote to the Managing Director of Shell, saying that "the desire of your organization to upgrade the class of firearms in use is noted and commended. Approval is hereby given for the purchase of such semi automatic riffles to be decided upon by your representative and this office." D. Ugbaja, Letter to the Managing Director of Shell, Request by Shell Petroleum Development Corporation, 1994, 27 July

8/17/94 — Oteri once again wrote to the Inspector General of Police formally requesting additional weapons and ammunition, which included 40 Beretta Pistols, 50,000 rounds for pump action shot-guns 20,000 rounds of shotgun rubber bullets and 500 smoke hand-grenades. V. A. Oteri, Letter to the Inspector General of Police, Re: Acquisition of Ammunition and Upgrade of Weapons, 1994, 17 August

8/17/94 — B. O. Osoba, Deputy Inspector General of Police, forwards the Shell request to Humanitex, asking the latter to submit a pro forma invoice to Shell "in respect of arms and ammunitions to be purchased by Shell for Police use only." B. O. Osobe, Letter to the Managing Director of Humanitex, Re Acquisition of Ammunition for Police Use, 1994, 17 August

8/18/94 — Osoba wrote back to Shell with a Proforma Invoice from Humanitex Nigeria Limited, the representatives of XM Federal. "Your immediate action in the procurement of these items would be advantageous for all concerned, please" wrote Osoba. The total price of the Invoice was $548,798.51. B. O. Osoba, Letter to Shell Re Acquisition of Arms and Ammunition for Police Use, 1994, 18 August

8/18/94 — Shell responded to a letter to Greenpeace by stating that "Although both Mr. Saro-Wiwa and yourself claim that his campaign is non-violent, this is not borne out by SPDC's experience". A. J. Brak, Letter to Uta Bellion, Greenpeace, 1994, 18 August

9/12/94 — Brian Anderson, the Managing Director of SPDC, wrote back to the Inspector General of Police, regarding the Humanitex invoice. "We consider this quotation to be excessive ...consequently we may have to suspend all activity on arms procurement until further notice, unless the quotations are in line with our expectations and budget". B. Anderson, Letter to the Inspector General of Police, regarding Arms Upgrade for SPDC Police, 1994, 12 September

10/94 — The UK based TSB Bank announced that it was selling its Shell shares from its Environmental Investors Fund, because of Shell's "environmental and social policies in Nigeria". R. Dowden, "Green" Shell Shares Sold in Protest At Spills, The Independent, 1994, 24 October

10/12/94 — Saro-Wiwa and MOSOP were awarded the "Right Livelihood Award" (known as the alternative Nobel peace prize), for Saro-Wiwa's "exemplary and selfless courage and in striving non-violently for the civil, economic and environmental rights of his people'. In response, Lt-Col Komo ordered more repressive measures against Saro-Wiwa. MOSOP, Reaction of the Rivers State Military Government to the 1994 Right Livelihood Award Won By Saro-Wiwa and MOSOP, Press Release, 1994, 10 November; Right Livelihood Award Foundation, 1994 Right Livelihood Awards Stress Importance of Children, Spiritual Values and Indigenous Cultures, 1994, 12 October

11/4/94 — A three member Tribunal, including one military officer, was constituted to try Saro-Wiwa, Mitee and the other Ogoni. M. Birnbaum, Nigeria: Fundamental Rights Denied: Report of the Trial of Ken Saro-Wiwa and Others, ARTICLE 19 in Association with the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and the Law Society of England and Wales, 1995, June, pp28

11/21/94 — The three members of the Tribunal were sworn in. M. Birnbaum, Nigeria: Fundamental Rights Denied: Report of the Trial of Ken Saro-Wiwa and Others, ARTICLE 19 in Association with the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and the Law Society of England and Wales, 1995, June, pp28

1/4/95 — Thousands of Ogoni once again celebrated Ogoni Day. There was a security clamp-down, and many were killed and arrested. R. Boele, Ogoni - Report of the UNPO Mission to Investigate the Situation of the Ogoni of Nigeria, 17 - 26 February, UNPO, 1995, 1 May, pp53

1/10/95 — The Attorney-General announced that the Tribunal would start on the 16th January. Therefore, a trial date had received the go ahead, before the Tribunal had heard whether there was any evidence against any of the defendants., 1995, June, M. Birnbaum, Nigeria: Fundamental Rights Denied: Report of the Trial of Ken Saro-Wiwa and Others, ARTICLE 19 in Association with the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and the Law Society of England and Wales pp29-30

1/12/95 — Femi Felana, one of the main defense lawyers, was arrested and held incommunicado until the 20th. M. Birnbaum, Nigeria: Fundamental Rights Denied: Report of the Trial of Ken Saro-Wiwa and Others, ARTICLE 19 in Association with the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and the Law Society of England and Wales, 1995, June, pp57

1/13/95 — A letter was sent from A. J. C. Brak to Human Rights Watch, denying that the company was in collusion with the Nigerian security forces. Shell acknowledged that they hire members of the police for internal security and that they contacted the authorities in the event of disturbances of sabotage. The Ogoni Crisis: A Case-Study of Military Repression in Southeastern Nigeria, Human Rights Watch/Africa, July 1995, Vol. 7, No. 5, p. 39.

1/16/95 — The Tribunal was due to start, but is postponed. Shell declined to intervene in the trial on the grounds that it has "neither the right nor the competence" to become involved in internal processes. Inter Press Service, Oil Giant Urged to Support Ogonis Against Death Squads, Jan. 16, 1995.

  • Greenpeace released copies of a leaked memo written by Major P. Okuntimo. Shell insisted that "we categorically deny that we pay money to the like of Major Okuntimo." Nigeria Repressed Ogonis in Order to Win Back Shell: The Guardian, Agence France Press, Jan. 14, 1995.

1/18/95 — Shell wrote to the lawyer O. Okocha, agreeing that the company would pay him N550,000 for him to represent Shell at the Tribunal. I. O. Ahize, Letter to O. C. J. Okocha, Re OgoniDisturbances - Representation at the Sittings of the Tribunal, 1995, 18 January

1/25/95 — Shell issued its version of the story in Nigeria Brief: The Ogoni Issue.

1/28/95 — Ken Saro-Wiwa and four other Ogoni were finally charged with the murder of four Ogoni leaders, over eight months after being arrested.

2/2/95 — The $2 million Nigerian Delta Environment Survey (NDES) was announced by Shell which would "catalogue the physical and biological diversity" of the whole delta. Shell International Petroleum Company, Shell Nigeria Launches Major Environmental Survey, 1995, 2 February

  • The Steering committee would not include anyone from MOSOP, although it had been promised that "this committee has been specifically chosen to include representatives of all major stakeholders of the region, including the most important stakeholder of all, the communities of the area." Niger Delta Environmental Survey, Niger Delta Environmental Survey Underway, 1995, 24 May
  • MOSOP responded to the announcement with the hopes "that this is not another attempt to hoodwink the Nigerian public into a belief that Shell is environmentally conscious." It called on the "company to enter in negotiation with MOSOP with a view to conducting environmental and social impact assessment studies/audits in Ogoni. Unrepresented National and Peoples Organisation, Ogoni - Urgent Update, relaying information received from MOSOP, 1995, 13 February

2/6/95 — The Tribunal finally allowed the defendants to see their lawyers for the first time since they were arrested. The inaugural session of the Tribunal was held. M. Birnbaum, Nigeria: Fundamental Rights Denied: Report of the Trial of Ken Saro-Wiwa and Others, ARTICLE 19 in Association with the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and the Law Society of England and Wales, 1995, June, pp46

2/6/95 — Shell, once again, attempted to upgrade its arms and ammunitions, issuing a bid to tender to several companies. Items required included Beretta semi-automatic rifles, Beretta pistols, pump action shot-guns and ammunition. SPDC, Enquiry No L-00045 - The Supply of Arms and Ammunition, Letter to Humanitex, 1995, 6 February

2/13/95 — Shell admitted to creating "some problems of pollution" in the southern Delta region, according to company head Brian Anderson. Shell also denied that it launched the environmental study in response to local and international pressures. Nigeria: Shell Admits Pollution, Reuters Textline, Feb. 13, 1995.

2/16/95 — An affidavit was signed by one of the two chief prosecution witnesses, Charles Danwi. It read: "He was told that he would be given a house, a contract from Shell and Ompadec and some money ... He was given 30,000 Naira ... At a later meeting security agents, government officials and the Kobani, Orage, and Badey families, representatives of Shell and Ompadec were all present." M. Birnbaum, Nigeria: Fundamental Rights Denied: Report of the Trial of Ken Saro-Wiwa and Others, ARTICLE 19 in Association with the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and the Law Society of England and Wales, 1995, June, Appendix 10: Summary of Affidavits Alleging Bribery

2/21/95 — Two of the defence lawyers, Femi Felana and Gani Fawehinmi, were assaulted outside court. The same day, Saro-Wiwa's seventy-four year old mother was beaten by soldiers in the presence of Lt-Col Okuntimo. Saro-Wiwa's wife and sister-in--law were also beaten. M. Birnbaum, Nigeria: Fundamental Rights Denied: Report of the Trial of Ken Saro-Wiwa and Others, ARTICLE 19 in Association with the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and the Law Society of England and Wales, 1995, June, pp33, 45, 57, 58; Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria: The Ogoni Crisis: A Case Study of Military Repression in Southeastern Nigeria, 1995, July, Vol. 7, No.5, pp28

2/27/95 — Another affidavit from the other Chief prosecution witness, Nayone Akpa, was signed, alleging that he was offered "30,000 Naira, employment with the Gokana Local Government, weekly allowances and contracts with Ompadec and Shell" if he signed a document that implicated Saro-Wiwa. M. Birnbaum, Nigeria: Fundamental Rights Denied: Report of the Trial of Ken Saro-Wiwa and Others, ARTICLE 19 in Association with the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and the Law Society of England and Wales, 1995, June, Appendix 10: Summary of Affidavits Alleging Bribery

3/16/95 — A meeting took place between four senior Shell officials, Malcolm Williams, A.J Brak, D. Van dan. Brook and A. Detheridge and the Nigerian High Commissioner at Shell Centre in London. Also in attendance were representatives from the Nigerian Army and the Police. Nigeria High Commission, Record of the Meeting Held Between The High Commissioner Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji and Four Senior Officials of Shell International Petroleum Company Ltd (SIPC), Shell House, 1995, 16 March

4/95 - 6/95 — Saro-Wiwa's brother, Owens Wiwa, secretly met Brian Anderson between May and July in order to explore ways of securing Saro-Wiwa's release. Anderson told Owens that "He would be able to help us get Ken freed if we stopped the protest campaign abroad". P. Ghazi, Shell Refused to Help Saro-Wiwa Unless Protest Called Off, The Observer, 1995, 19 November, pp1

4/5/95 — SPDC admitted in its Environment Programme, that since 1989, SPDC had recorded an average of 190 spills per year, involving 7,600 barrels of oil a year. Forty-two per cent of these spills were from corrosion. SPDC, Environment Programme, 1995, 5 April

4/17/95 — Saro-Wiwa was one of six recipients of the 1994 Goldman Prize, worth $75,000. The Goldman Environmental Prize, Press release, 1994, 17 April

5/1/95 — The Nigerian Minister for Information handed out a booklet with a picture of a swastika and Saro-Wiwa on the front cover, entitled "Crisis in Ogoniland - How Saro-Wiwa Turned MOSOP into a Gestapo", at a meeting in Oxford. The booked stated that Saro-Wiwa "established the NYCOP (National Youth Council of Ogoni People) Vigilante, as a terrorist organisation well-trained and equipped in the art of terrorism." The anonymous author alleged that "there has been no extra-judicial execution and detention by the security forces". Finally, the book maintained that "the crisis in Ogoniland revolves around only one person - Ken Saro-Wiwa" and the "Federal Government has established due processes to ensure that he and his cohorts have a fair trial". No Author, Crisis in Ogoniland - How Saro-Wiwa Turned Mosop into a Gestapo, No Publisher, handed out by the Nigerian Minister for Information, at a Meeting at Oxford, 1995, 1 May

5/95 — Eighteen Ogoni, who had been detained without charge for a year, were given a "holding charge" of murder of the four Ogoni chiefs, pending the constitution of the Special Tribunal. Of the 18, one died, two were subsequently released. Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp42

5/8/95 — Saro-Wiwa smuggled a letter out of a military hospital. He wrote " For two nights I have not slept a wink, I am being intimidated, harassed and de-humanized, even though I am supposed to be receiving medical attention ... I am like Ogoni, battered, bruised, brutalized, bloodied and almost buried." K. Saro-Wiwa, Statement, 1995 8 May

5/18/95 — At the company's AGM, Shell came under severe criticism for its operations in Nigeria and not intervening in Saro-Wiwa's trial.

6/95 — A Report into Saro-Wiwa's trial, written by Michael Birnbaum QC, was published by Article 19 in association with the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and the Law Society of England and Wales. Birnbaum concluded "It is my view that the breaches of fundamental rights are so serious as to arouse grave concern that any trial before this tribunal will be fundamentally flawed and unfair". Amongst many misgivings, Birnbaum was particularly concerned about the undue influence of Okuntimo at the trial. M. Birnbaum, Nigeria: Fundamental Rights Denied: Report of the Trial of Ken Saro-Wiwa and Others, ARTICLE 19 in Association with the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and the Law Society of England and Wales, 1995, June, pp9

6/95 — Saro-Wiwa's lawyers pulled out of the Tribunal, due to its fundamentally flawed nature and after the allegations of bribery against key prosecution witnesses being described as "too good to be true". Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp32; M. Birnbaum, Nigeria: Fundamental Rights Denied: Report of the Trial of Ken Saro-Wiwa and Others, ARTICLE 19 in Association with the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and the Law Society of England and Wales, 1995, June, pp36

7/12/95 — Shell denied an accusation made by Human Rights Watch/Africa that the company was waging a war on the Ogoni people.

7/24/95 — XM Federal and Humanitex filed suit against Shell and V. Oteri in the Nigerian Federal High Court seeking damages for breach of contract. In the Federal High Court in the Lagos Judicial Division, XM Federal and Humanitex V Shell V. Oteri, 1995, 24 July

8/13/95 — Clement Tusima died in detention in Port Harcourt Prison after being detained for 15 months in connection with the death of the four Ogoni leaders. Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp42-43

10/1/95 — General Abacha announced that he would stay in power another three years and revealed a three year transition program.

10/27/95 — A further four Ogoni were charged with the murder of the Ogoni Chiefs, adding up to nineteen still waiting trial. They become known as the "Ogoni 19". Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp42

10/30 - 10/31/95 — Ken Saro-Wiwa, and another eight Ogoni were sentenced to death. Six of the fifteen defendants were released, including Ledum Mitee, Vice President of MOSOP.

  • Saro-Wiwa wrote for his closing testimony at the Tribunal: "I and my colleagues are not the only ones on trial. Shell is here on trial and it is as well that it is represented by counsel said to be holding a watching brief. The Company has, indeed, ducked this particular trial, but its day will surely come and the lessons learnt here may prove useful to it for there is no doubt in my mind that the ecological war that the Company has waged in the Delta will be called to question sooner than later and the crimes of that war be duly punished. The crime of the Company's dirty wars against the Ogoni people will also be punished'. - K. Saro-Wiwa, Statement to the Ogoni Civil Disturbances Tribunal

11/1/95 — There was worldwide opposition to the sentences and calls on the government to commute the sentences. The military launched a crackdown on leaders of the Ogoni people which included the deployment of an additional 5,000 troops in the area. One observer noted that "[t]he soldiers are on every street corner. The situation is extremely intense with rape and torture a routine. Carrying a newspaper with Ken's name in the headline can earn you a roadside caning." - Sam Kiley, Ogoni Chiefs Exiled as Abacha Sends in Thousands of Troops, The Times, Nov. 2, 1995.

10/31/95 — Shell issued a Response Statement to the sentences, which offered no sympathy to the condemned men, instead accusing MOSOP of violence. Shell also rejected demands to intervene, claiming that "It is not for a commercial organisation like Shell to intervene with the legal process of a sovereign state such as Nigeria." - SIPC, Verdict on the Trial of Mr Ken Saro-Wiwa, 1995, 31 October

11/2/95 — Shell issued another Response Statement dropping the accusations of violence against MOSOP, adding "we have every sympathy with the families of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his co-defendants, and with the families of the murdered Ogonis". - SIPC, Verdict on Mr Ken Saro-Wiwa and Others, 1995, 2 November

  • In both statements, Shell failed to acknowledge that the judicial process had been flawed.

11/8/95 — Commonwealth heads gathered in Auckland. The government's Provisional Ruling Council confirmed the death sentences of the Ogoni.

11/8/95 — Despite Shell's repeated claims it could not get involved in the legal process in Nigeria, Shell issued a statement in response to the confirmation of the death sentences which acknowledged that a letter had been sent from Mr. Herkstroter, the Chairman of the Committee of Managing Directors of Shell to Abacha, asking for clemency. - SIPC, Response Statement, 1995, 8 November

11/8/95 — Shell issued a statement denying that it bribed any witnesses in the trial and that "It is not true, as has been claimed, that Shell has supported any alleged operations of a Task Force under Lt.Col. Okuntimo in Rivers State". - SPDC, SPDC Answers Allegations of Bribery, Background Brief, 1995, 8 November

11/10/95 — Saro-Wiwa and eight others were executed in defiance of international appeals for leniency. Michael Birnbaum QC, who had observed the trial, said the judgement of the Tribunal was "not merely wrong, illogical or perverse. It is downright dishonest .. I believe that the Tribunal first decided on its verdict and then sought for arguments to justify them". - M. Birnbaum, A Travesty of Law and Justice: An Analysis of the Judgement in the Case of Ken Saro-Wiwa and Others, Article 19, 1995, December, pp2

  • There was wide international condemnation and outrage of both the military junta and Shell. The condemnation led to the strengthening of limited sanctions, and Nigeria was suspended from the Commonwealth. All European Union member states recalled their Ambassadors for consultation, and imposed limited visa restrictions on Nigeria, and an arms embargo. The US also withdrew its Ambassador and extended pre-existing restrictions on military links and sales.

11/10/95 — U.K. Prime Minister John Major, described the trial as "a fraudulent trial, a bad verdict, an unjust sentence. It has now been followed by judicial murder." - N. Wood, Nigeria Faces Expulsion for Hanging Nine, The Times, 1995, 11 November

  • Since Nov. 1995, the U.K. has adopted a position arguing against the further isolation of Nigeria, the U.K.'s second largest sub-Saharan trading partner. The list of export licenses granted and refused for the first half of 1996, published by the DTI, include a number of export licenses for Nigeria which appear to contravene the E.U. embargo, including licenses for "small arms, machine guns, and accessories." - Nigeria: "Permanent Transition", Human Rights Watch/Africa, Sept. 1996, Vol. 8, No.3(A), p. 46.

11/10/95 — The IFC, the World Bank's affiliate which provided funding for the private sector in developing countries, withdrew their $100,000 loan (in cash and equity) for the Liquefied Natural Gas project (LNG) because key policy decisions by the Nigerian Government had yet to be implemented. - IFC, IFC Will Not Proceed With Nigeria LNG Project, 1995, 10 November

11/11/95 — The Daily Mail reported how Shell intervened to assist a Shell employee arrested in Nigeria on suspicion of murdering his wife. "Shell made it clear that if anything happened to me in custody, there would be hell to pay", said the Shell employee, who was found not guilty. - M. Greene, My Wife Was My Best Friend, We Were Childhood Sweethearts. How Could They Possibly Think I Had Murdered Her? The Daily Mail, 1995, 11 November

11/15/96 — Shell announced that it would press ahead with the $3.8 billion LNG Project. "There have been suggestions that the project should be deferred or canceled because of recent events in Nigeria. But you have to be clear who would be hurt." said Dick Van Den Broek, from Shell. Greenpeace criticized the move as sending the strongest possible message to the military regime that it is "business as usual". - SIPC, Nigerian LNG Plant "On Course", 1995, 15 November; Reuter, Greenpeace slams Shell for Nigerian project, 1996, 15 November

11/15/95 — An Abacha Presidency Official was quoted by Reuters as saying "Shell understands the facts of this matter and has reacted appropriately unlike the emotional outburst by others." - J. Jukwey, Reuters, Lagos, 1995, 15 November

11/16/95 — Dr. Claude Ake, who had been representing the communities on the Niger Delta Environmental Survey (NDES), resigned. "It is clear now that NDES is too late and does not represent a change of heart. To begin with, it does not enjoy the enthusiastic support of the oil industry at large. Clearly there is nothing in the recent performance of the oil companies, notably Shell, NOAC, Elf and Mobil to suggest that NDES is associated with increasing sensitivity to the plight of the oil producing communities". - C. Ake, Letter to Mr. Onosonde, 1995, 15 November

11/17/95 — Shell placed adverts defending its decision to invest in the LNG plant. "We know you wouldn't want us to hurt the Nigerian people. Or jeopardize their future" said Shell.

11/17/95 — The U.S. Senate's Africa Subcommittee introduced a bill outlining sanctions on Nigeria. Soon after, the House released a companion bill. Britain and the Netherlands, opposed a German plan for a EU oil embargo. - Britain, Netherlands Oppose Oil Embargo, The Washington Times, Nov. 23, 1995, at A10.

11/21/95 — Shell issued a full page advertisement blaming the death of Saro-Wiwa on environmental and human rights activists: "When the threats and protest began to grow around the world, the attitude of the government seemed to harden. Did the activists realize the risk they were taking? Did their campaign become more important than the issue itself." - Royal/Dutch Shell Says Activists Hastened Saro-Wiwa's Death, AFX News, Nov. 21,1995.

11/22/95 — A statement from the Nigerian government claimed that the trials of Saro-Wiwa and his co-defendants were "fair, open and in accordance with all acceptable international standards". - Government Says Executions Followed "Painstaking" Judicial Process, BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, Nov. 23, 1995.

11/23/95 — The Nigerian Foreign Minister Tom Ikimi told heads of 30 diplomatic missions that the isolation and sanctions are "not justifiable in any way." - Felix Onuah, Nigeria Says Mandela is Working to Hurt Its Economy, Reuters Ltd., Nov. 23, 1995.

11/27/95 — A Rally by the National Conscience Party under Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who aimed to enforce the results of the June 12, 1993 elections, was met with tear gas and bullets from the military police. - Catriona Rogan, Nigeria's Outsider Who Would be Insider; Fawehinmi Challenges Military in the Streets, The Washington Times, Nov. 23, 1995, at A10.

12/3/95 — The American subsidiary of Royal/Dutch Shell, the Shell Oil Company, established a "Nigeria hotline," which plays a recorded message stating that the company has no operations in Nigeria.

12/5/95 — OAU Secretary-General Salim Ahmed Salim spoke against the response of the international community to the hangings of the Ogoni Nine, stating that, although the OAU would like to see a democratic Nigeria, with greater respect for human rights, "we do not subscribe to the campaign to isolate Nigeria...We would not want anything to be done which would have the effect of destabilizing Nigeria." - Reuters Dec. 5, 1996, quoted in, Nigeria:"Permanent Transition", Human Rights Watch/Africa, Sept. 1996, Vol.8, No. 3(A), p. 49.

12/10/95 — The Rivers State Coalition, a newly formed umbrella body of human rights and environmental activists protested the executions with the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS) in Port Harcourt. The following day, one of the leaders of the demonstration, Felix Tuodolor was held and beaten by the State Security Service for two days. - Human Rights Watch /Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp37

12/17/95 — Brian Anderson admitted to the Sunday Times that a "black hole of corruption" in its Nigerian operations. Ledum Mitee, also interviewed by the newspaper recalled that "He [Okuntimo] admitted he was being paid by Shell". Mitee also explained that "Shell provided vehicles for military operations". - The Sunday Times, Shell Axes "Corrupt" Nigeria Staff, 1995, 17 December

1/1/96 — The independent Nigerian press named Ken Saro Wiwa man of the year.

1/3/96 — Ledum Mitee, was placed under house arrest at his home in Kegbara-Dere (K-Dere) to prevent him attending the Ogoni day celebrations. - Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp37

1/4/96 — Large numbers of Ogoni celebrated Ogoni Day, despite a military clampdown. Soldiers and Mobile Police fired tear gas and live ammunition at an Ogoni Day rally in Bori, the major Ogoni town. Four youths were killed, one of them who was disabled, many people wounded by the shootings. Ledum Mitee and his younger brother Batom were arrested at Kpor, and Batom was severely beaten. - Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp37-38

  • Paul Adams, Nigeria correspondent for the Financial Times of London, who had gone to Kpor to interview Ledum Mitee, was arrested for holding seditious material, which was the MOSOP Ogoni Day statement. He was released on bail one week later, although the charges against him were not dropped until April 18. - Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp39
  • During the next four days some fifty people were detained by the security forces for celebrating Ogoni Day, including two ten year old girls. Many were beaten in detention. People had to bribe their way out. One person, Sunday Nyorben, who has refused to pay bribes, is still in prison in Port Harcourt. - Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp38

1/5/96 — NURSS leader Kemedi von Dimieari was detained for thirteen days by the State Security Service for protesting against the November executions. He was denied food and water for nearly two days. - Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp37

1/6/96 — Ledum Mitee was ordered to Port Harcourt with his brother who was beaten by the security forces. The two brothers were banned from returning to Ogoni until mid-February. - Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp39

1/15/96 — Claude Ake released a Press Statement that accused SPDC of showing "no sign of remorse for causing the strife in Ogoniland which has thrown Nigeria into one of the deepest crises of its history". - C. Ake, Shelling Nigeria, Lagos, 1996, 15 January

1/23/96 — Interviewed in the New York Village Voice, Nigerian Lawyer Oronto Douglas, alleged that "Shell provides logistical support in terms of helicopters, speedboats and vehicles to convey soldiers to their installations in what they call "protection". All over the delta the military do not have helicopters to fly in soldiers to oil installations. Transportation is done by the oil companies, including Shell". - A. Rowell, Sleeping With the Enemy, Village Voice, 1996, 23 January

1/26/96 — Owens Wiwa called for a boycott of Nigeria oil and Shell to force through democratic change. - J.L. Hazelton, Wiwa- Nigeria, Associated Press, 1996, 26 January

1/28/96 — Eric Nickson, a Shell spokesperson, admitted in the Observer that Shell placed bids for the importation of arms. "Shell has purchased sidearms - handguns - on behalf of the Nigerian police force who guard Shell"s facilities. But once imported, the arms remain the property of the Nigerian police, who store, guard, and use them. ... The Nigerian Police do not have sufficient funds to equip themselves ... We purchase the weapons on their behalf. But Shell does not have the arms itself." According to a former chief of defense staff, however, "[t]he Nigerian police are well equipped and do not need anyone to import arms for them." . . . There is no excuse for anyone to have a private army in Nigeria. They don"t need it." - C. Duodu, Shell Admits Importing Guns for Nigerian Police, The Observer, 1996, 28 January

1/30/96 — The Authorities detained Chief Gani Fawehinmi, the lawyer acting on behalf of the "Ogoni 19" still detained in connection with Ken Saro-Wiwa. Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who headed Saro-Wiwa"s defense team before withdrawing from the trial, had brought a constitutional application-- which is still pending before the Federal High Court-- to prevent the special tribunal from hearing the case until an application challenging the constitutionality of the special tribunals was heard. - Nigeria: "Permanent Transition", Human Rights Watch/Africa, Sept. 1996, Vol.8,No.3(A), pp. 42-43

1/30/96 — Shell publicly reconfirmed its commitment to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. - Human Rights Watch /Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp49 quoting SIPC Press Releases 30 January

2/2/96 — Leaders of seven Ogoni villages filed suit against Shell in the high court of Port Harcourt claiming US$ 4 million in damages for oil spills in Ogoniland. Shell claimed that the spills were due to sabotage, but environmentalists counter that the spills are the result of equipment malfunction and pipeline corrosion. - Sam Olukoya, Ogoni Villagers Sue Shell Over Spill for $4 Million, The Independent Feb. 3, 1996.

2/2/96 — Soldiers were used to intimidate the Ogoni to withdraw their court actions against Shell for compensation for the Yorla flow station spill. - letter from Lucius E. Nwosu & Partners to the Legal Advisor, Shell Petroleum Development Co., dated February 27 and entitled "Attempted Subversion of Due Process; Protest Note"

2/4/96 — Saro-Wiwa"s attorney, Olisa Agbakoba, was arrested.

2/6/96 — U.S. Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan visited Ogoniland. A number of Ogonis were arrested at random and beaten by security forces. Farrakhan subsequently urges Americans to "give the Nigerian government a chance" with its transition program. - Nigeria: "Permanent Transition", Human RightsWatch/Africa, Sept. 1996, Vol.8, No. 3(A), p. 39, 48.

2/7/96 — Shell began an advertising campaign with the intent to "safeguard and enhance [the company"s] reputation." - Peter Hillmore, The Week That Was, The Observer, February 11, 1996, at 2.

2/7/96 — Shell Petroleum Development Company, seeking to defend its decision to arm its police guards, announced that 600 criminal incidents, 10% of which involved firearms, had been carried out against its workers and operations in the last two years. - Shell in Nigeria Reports 600 Attacks in Two Years, Agence France Presse, Feb. 8, 1996.

2/9/96 — The Nigerian police launched a full scale inquiry into Shell Nigeria"s purchase of arms for a "supernumerary police force" attached to the company"s operations.

2/11/96 — The Observer again highlighted how Shell had tried to import arms, although the company had maintained that the only time it had actually bought arms was 107 handguns 15 years ago. Shell maintained that this was the only time it had bought weapons on behalf of the Nigerian police, until confronted with documentation, forcing it to admit to the negotiations in 1993 to 1995. - P. Ghazi & C. Duodu, How Shell Tried To Buy Berettas for Nigerians, The Observer, 1996, 11 February

2/14/96 — Femi Falana, one of Saro-Wiwa's defense team was also detained. - Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp42

2/15/96 — Shell reported 25% increase in profits in 1995. "We have a good and sensible story to tell to those people who are prepared to listen," Shell chairman John Jennings told a news conference. - Hans de Jongh, Shell Profits Up 25 Percent in 1995, The Reuters Business Report, February 15, 1996; Shell feels misrepresented, misunderstood, Reuter, London, 1996, 15 February, 15

2/22/96 — Alan Dethridge, area coordinator for Shell International Petroleum Co., Ltd. in London and Nnaemeka Achebe, Director and General Manager of Human Resources for Shell in Lagos denied that the company had a role to play in the internal politics of Nigeria. - Ben Barber, Oil Firm Walks Fine Line Criticizing Nigeria, The Washington Times, February 22, 1996, at A14.

  • Shell officials said it was not unusual for corporations seeking protection to pay transportation costs and the salary supplements for soldiers living outside their barracks. - Paul Lewis, Effort to Protect Shell Oil Fields in Nigeria Leads to Disaster, The Dallas Morning News, February 18, 1996, at 43A.

2/23/96 — Cor Herkstroeter, Chairman of the Board of Royal Dutch/Shell, stated that Shell had achieved a new company record by further improving profits in 1995. The increase had not been unduly affected by the media attention surrounding the execution of the Ogoni last November. - A Difficult But Satisfactory Year for Shell, Europe Information Service, February 23, 1996.

2/26/96 — Newsweek reported that Shell had threatened to sue the German publishers of the Saro-Wiwa"s diaries, which were published in Britain under the title "A Month And a Day", but in Germany as "Flames of Hell - Nigeria and Shell: The Dirty War Against the Ogoni". - Newsweek, Stop The Presses, 1996, 26 February

3/96 — The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that 1,000 Ogonis had fled to Benin since Ogoni Day on Jan. 4. Though the numbers relatively small the UNHCR called the rate of increase "worrisome". According to UNHCR there have been a number of threats to the refugees from the Nigerian security forces. - Nigeria: "Permanent Transition", Human Rights Watch/Africa, Vol.8, No.3(A), Sept. 1996, p. 42.

3/6/96 — Nigeria constituted a "classic picture of human rights abuse", declared the US State Department in its annual human rights report. The report described Saro-Wiwa"s trial "completely lacking in respect for due process." - P. Sisler, U.S. Sees Worsening Abuses in Nigeria, Washington, 1996, 6 March

3/11/96 — Shell confirmed that it found a significant amount of oil in deep water off Nigeria, but a company spokesman denied that the company was looking off-shore as a way to avoid the Ogoni controversy. - Reuters World Service, Shell Confirms Oil Discovery Off Nigeria, 1996, 11 March; R. Corzine & P. Adams, Shell May Face Fresh Pressure Over Nigerian Oil Discovery, The Financial Times, 1996, 8 March

3/12/96 — The Clinton administration circulated a proposal for strong, new economic sanctions intended to force the Nigerian military Government to move toward democracy, but the proposal received a cool reception from several European countries. The Administration has ruled out, for the time being, any embargo against Nigerian oil exports. - Paul Lewis, U.S. Seeks Tougher Sanctions To Press Nigeria for Democracy, The New York Times, March 12, 1996.

3/27 - 4/14/96 — A UN fact-finding team visited Nigeria, including a brief trip to Ogoniland. The team concluded that the Special Tribunal had had "no jurisdiction" to try Saro-Wiwa and the others. - Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp33-36

4/ 8 - 4/10/96 — "Strenuous efforts" were made by the authorities to ensure that human rights and pro-democracy or minority-rights activists based in Port Harcourt were not able to meet with the U.N. fact-finding team. People were detained before and during the Team"s visit to Ogoni, to prevent them speaking to the UN, despite prior assurances that people would not be victimized. Phone calls were prevented from reaching the UN. Ogoni were warned that they would be arrested if they came out of their homes. Even so, hundreds still did, dressed in black. According to MOSOP 46 were detained. Two died due to torture. Everyone had to pay brides and denounce MOSOP before being released. - Human Rights Watch /Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp39-40

  • In response to the UN Mission the Nigerian government wrote to the UN promising that military officers would be excluded from further Tribunals and that the Oil and Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission OMPADEC, would be directed " to look into whether there are peculiar ecological and environmental problems in the Ogoni area with a view to ameliorating them". -Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp33-36

4/15/96 — Brian Anderson defended Shell"s policies in Nigeria against a barrage of criticism by environmental and human rights activists at the Royal Geographical Society in Britain. He claimed that reports of environmental damage had been exaggerated, and that Shell's presence in Nigeria created thousands of jobs and bolstered the economy. -Paul Harris, Shell Defends Nigeria Role, The Reuter European Business Report, April 15, 1996

4/22/96 — The U.N. Human Rights Commission expressed "deep concern" about human rights abuses in Nigeria. It urged the Nigerian government to restore habeas corpus and release all political prisoners. A paragraph calling for the appointment of a special rapporteur on Nigeria, proposed by European Union and supported by the U.S. was not adopted, largely due to their lack of African support. - Nigeria: "Permanent Transition", Human Rights Watch/Africa, Vol.8, No.3(A), Sept. 1996, p 45; Reuter, UN rights body censures Nigeria, Geneva, Reuter, 1996, 23 April 23

4/23/96 — The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) met to discuss possible sanctions against Nigeria. They were postponed until June, and then they were postponed again. - -Nigeria: "Permanent Transition", Human Rights Watch/Africa, Sept. 1996, Vo.8, No.3(A), pp. 44-45.

5/4/96 - 5/8/96 — Major Obi, The new Head of the Rivers State Internal Security Task Force, summoned two secret meetings of chiefs in the Ogoni villages of Kpor and Bori, during which they were forced to sign documents calling for Shell"s return to Ogoni - MOSOP, MOSOP Response to the Shell"s "Plan for Ogoni," Press Release, 1996, 12 May.

5/6/96 — Arrest of Clement Yerekina, an employee at the immigration service, for allegedly issuing travel documents to MOSOP leaders without authorization. He is reportedly still in detention. - Nigeria: "Permanent Transition", Human Rights Watch/Africa, Vol.8, No.3(A), Sept. 1996, p. 41.

5/8/96 — Shell offered a "Plan of Action for Ogoni". Shell offered to clean up all oil spills in the region and rehabilitate some of its community projects. Said Brian Anderson: "It is vital that we have the support of the communities in which we work. That is why we are adamant that we will not work behind a security shield, and why we have made it clear we will not go back until we are welcomed by all Ogoni people." - Shell International Limited, Shell Nigeria Offers Plan for Ogoni, 1996, 8 May

  • MOSOP responded by welcoming a clean-up not cover-up of Shell"s operations. MOSOP demanded that to be able to return to Ogoni, amongst other things, Shell must "call for the disbandment of the Internal Security Task Force, the removal of all Nigerian troops and barracks in Ogoni, and stop importing increasingly sophisticated arms for their own armed security force of over 1,000 men." - MOSOP, MOSOP Response to the Shell"s "Plan for Ogoni," Press Release, 1996, 12 May

5/10/96 — The UK based corporate governance consultancy, PIRC, advised clients to vote against Shell"s Board at the forthcoming AGM, due to "serious reservations" over Shell"s operations in Ogoni. - I. King, Pressure Grows on Shell Over Nigeria, The Guardian, 1996, 10 May, pp22

5/13/96 — Bopp van Dessel, Shell"s former head of environmental studies in Nigeria, conceded to UK based TV programme, World In Action, that Shell ignored repeated warnings that its oil production operations in Nigeria were causing widespread environmental damage. "They were not meeting their own standards, they were not meeting international standards. Any Shell site that I saw was polluted. Any terminal that I saw was polluted. It is clear to me that Shell was devastating the area", said Van Dessel. - P. Clothier & E. O"Connor, Pollution Warnings "Ignored By Shell", The Guardian, 1996, 13 May

5/13/96 — Van Dessel issued a statement as to why he had gone public: "After two years of being the internal environmental person in Shell Nigeria and after a year of networking behind the scene, I still did not see any improvement on the environmental side of Shell Nigeria"s operations ... As long as Shell continues to publicly deny mistakes, environmental double standards and maintains its claim to have the situation under control, it continues to put its own employees in Nigeria into difficulties. It also keeps the door for dialogue and co-operation with other involved parties firmly shut". - Statement from Bopp van Dessel on Granada Television Documentary Shell Nigeria - World in Action 13/05/96

5/15/96 — Ogoni demonstrators picketed Shell"s AGM in London and The Hague, calling for the release of the Ogoni 19. "We are trying to show Shell shareholders that their company is collaborating with a military regime that is oppressing the Ogoni people," said MOSOP. Shell"s chairman John Jennings was forced by shareholders to hold a moments silence "in the spirit of reconciliation." - D. Beverage, Shell Meeting, Associated Press, 1996, 15 May; Ogoni Protesters Picket Shell Shareholders" Meeting, Reuters World Service, May 15, 1996

5/15/96 — The UK Times published a letter from the Ogoni 19, detailing the appalling conditions of incarceration, and how they are being framed by the authorities. " The letter read, "They are suffering from malnourishment, skin diseases, respiratory disorders and are tortured every day. A well which still contains skeletons of dead inmates is the only source of drinking water." The publication of the letter resulted in the detainees being placed in solitary confinement. - M. Dynes, Ogoni Activists in Plea to West over Nigeria "Frame Up", The Times, 1996, 15 May; Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp43

5/16/96 — In response to concerns about the trial facing the Ogoni 19 before the civil disturbances special tribunal, Shell stated, "The Nigerian Government has a duty to investigate the murder of the four Ogoni leaders. And if those investigations lead to the arrest and trial of suspects then no-one has the right to oppose due legal process. But the trials must be fair. And they must be seen to be fair." Shell did not mention that proceedings before the special tribunal were unfair and in violation of international standards. - Fair Trials for the Ogoni 19, Shell International Limited Press Release, May 17, 1996, quoted in Nigeria: "Permanent Transition", Human Rights Watch/Africa, Sept. 1996, Vo.8, No.3(A), p. 50.

5/19/96 — Denmark"s 1996 peace prize was awarded to MOSOP in recognition of "the courage shown by MOSOP against the anti- democratic power and force of the military junta and one of the world"s largest oil companies, Shell." - Agence France Presse, Danish Peace Prize Awarded to Nigeria"s Ogoni Movement, Copenhagen, 1996, 20 May

5/20/96 — Brian Anderson acknowledged to World in Action of making "mistakes" in calling for security forces to quell the Umuechem demonstration in 1990. "We once called in the police to assist us on a case where things got out of hand completely and I must say that taught us a lesson ... some people died because of that", said Anderson. - ANP English News Bulletin, Shell Regrets Nigeria "Mistake" -TV Documentary, 1996, 21 May; Reuter, Shell regrets "mistake", 1996 20 May

  • Anderson also denied any knowledge of the 1987 Iko incident. "Well I don"t know about that case" he said, despite the fact that N. Achebe, the General Manager, Relations, at SPDC had written about the incident in August 1995. - B. Anderson, Interviewed by World In Action, 1996, 20 May; N. Achebe, Letter to Civil Liberties Organization Re Shell and Iko"s Environmental Hell, 1995, 10 August 5/23/96 - The European Parliament condemned Nigeria"s "appalling human rights record" and said the European Union should impose an oil embargo. - Reuter, EU parliament seeks oil embargo against Nigeria, Strasborg, France, 1996, 23 May

5/28/96 — Pat Rabbitte, Ireland"s Commerce and Technology Minister, called for a Shell boycott to protest the company"s links with the Nigerian government. "At a time when the Nigerian junta refuses to change its attitude, we have to exercise all the influence we can," he said. - Ireland's Rabbitte Calls for Royal Dutch Shell Boycott, AFX News, May 29, 1996

5/29/96 — Ken Saro-Wiwa was posthumously elected to the United Nations Environment Programme"s (UNEP) Global 500 Roll of Honour for advancing the cause of environmental protection. "At all stages of his campaign, Saro-Wiwa advocated peaceful resistance to the forces that would deprive the Ogoni people of a say in the development of their region," - UNEP said in a statement. Reuter, Environment Award Given to Nigeria"s Ken Saro-Wiwa, Nairobi, 1996, 29 May

5/31/96 — PR Week confirmed that the world"s largest independent PR company, Shandwick, headed by Peter Gummer, the brother of UK Secretary of State for the Environment, John Gummer, had been hired by Shell. It was believed that one of Shandwick"s roles was damage limitation over the World in Action programme earlier in the month. - S. Bevan. Shandwick Hired to Counter Shell"s Image Problem, PR Week, 31 May

6/1/96 — US Assistant Secretary of State John Shattuck visited Nigeria, noting a "steady deterioration in the human rights situation in Nigeria since 1993." Whilst the U.S., like the European Union, stated that all possible measures against Nigeria, without exclusion, were still under consideration, no steps have been announced by the Clinton administration to put these statements into effect. - Nigeria: "Permanent Transition", Human Rights Watch/Africa, Sept. 1996, Vo.8, No.3(A), p. 48

6/5/96 — Shell announced a $500,000 gift to the Texas Nature Conservancy, with the hope that the gift would "instill a sense of stewardship among children and adults for the wetland and environment." This followed a $100,000 gift in May to an African American Economic Development Conference. Environmental groups saw this as part of a concerted effort to split Shell"s two large opposition constituencies. - Bill Dawson, Shell Defends donation to Texas nature group against criticism, Houston Chronicle, June 6, 1996.

6/5/96 — Nnimmo Bassey, chairman of the Nigerian organization Environmental Rights Action, Secretary-General of the Association of Nigerian Authors, and a leading member of OilWatch International, was arrested on June 5 while traveling to attend a meeting of West-African sections of Friends of the Earth in Accra, Ghana. Not released until late July, he was required to report weekly to the local police, and his name still appears on the "Wanted" list in Lagos airport.

6/12/96 — The Nigerian Justice Ministry announced that they would be amending two decrees, including the one under which the Ogoni had been hanged. No military person would now sit on Tribunals which would also now be subject to appeal. - Reuter, Nigeria Amends Two Tough Decrees, Lagos, 1996, 12 June

6/24/96 — Chief Anthony Enahoro, co-chairman of Nigeria"s National Democratic Coalition (Nadeco), renewed calls for an embargo on Nigerian oil. - IPS, London Oil Analysts Say Calls for Oil, London, 1996, 25 June

7/96 — The National Reconciliation Committee, one of the bodies established under the transition program, visited Ogoniland and issued a statement that the Ogoni issue had been overblown and that those leaders who had misled the people "should have stones tied round their necks an thrown into the ocean as stipulated in the Bible." Human Rights Watch reported that pro-government youth organizations, such as the Peacekeeping Movement in Ogoniland, were being established by the military calling on people to support the government, avoid conflict, and forget MOSOP. - Nigeria: "Permanent Transition", Human Rights Watch/Africa, Vol.8, No.3(A), Sept. 1996, p. 40-1.

7/13/96 — A further letter from the Ogoni 19 detailed how all they are all now suffering from severe weight loss, skin rashes, and fever. Many have hearing and vision problems, due to the appalling conditions. - Human Rights Watch / Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp43

7/17/96 — Fifteen of the "Ogoni 19" were brought before a magistrate's court in Port Harcourt. This was their first time since their detention that they had been seen by lawyers, family, or friends. The case was adjourned until August 5., and then again until October 3. The case for the remaining four was adjourned first to Aug. 6 and then again to Sept. 3. Lawyers acting on the defendants behalf were detained by the State Intelligence and Investigation Bureau. - Human Rights Watch /Africa, Nigeria, "Permanent Transition," Current Violations of Human Rights in Nigeria, 1996, Vol 8, No3, September, pp42-43 7/19/96 - Mr Achebe, formally a Manager at SPDC, was moved from SPDC to London to "Represent both the Group and SPDC in the many international venues and fora which are currently focusing on our [Shell"s] activities in Nigeria". - SPDC, Management Appointments, 1996, 19 July

7/29/96 — According to the Nigerian paper the Daily Sunray, Lt. Col. Dauda Komo, the Military Administer of Rivers State had been in consultation with Shell over the company's return to Ogoni. Komo "expressed pleasure that his talks with Shell have been positive as the company will soon return to Ogoniland." - A. Isomkwo, Komo Urges Shell Back to Ogoniland, Daily Sunray, 1996, 29 July

7/30/96 — The Defense Counsel for the "Ogoni 19", finally achieved restricted access to see 8 of the 19 in prison. He reported that one, Chief Vizor had gone blind and that "It was revealed to me that some of them were arrested by Shell"s Police ... and tortured by the company"s police and later transferred by the company to Kpor detention camp, Rivers State". - A. E. Robert, A Statement on the Ogoni 19 Trial and Their Detention Conditions, 1996, 2 August

8/13/96 — MOSOP reported the arrest of fifteen people, including the president of the Federation of Ogoni Women, allegedly for holding meetings to plan for a forthcoming visit to Nigeria by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) announced by the Nigerian government. Many were badly beaten. - Nigeria: "Permanent Transition", Human Rights Watch/Africa, Vol.8, No.3(A), Sept. 1996, p. 41.

8/29 - 9/1 — MOSOP reported the arrest and detention of an Ogoni lawyer by the Rivers State Internal Task Force. Four days later another Ogoni, Philip Kara, was severely beaten by the Security Forces. - MOSOP, News Update On Military Repression in Ogoni, 1996, 2 September

9/96 — In his Annual written address to Shell Shareholders, John Jennings wrote "We have made progress in other areas, too .. the wide-ranging effort which has characterized the Group's response to the issue of Nigeria, show that the challenge of improving communication has been taken up." - J. Jennings, The Chairman"s Letter, Chairman"s Bulletin, STTC, 1996, No23, September 9/2/96 - Olisa Agbakoba, 43, the Nigerian human rights activist who helped to defend Saro-Wiwa, was awarded the Aachen Peace Prize for showing courage and taking personal risk in the defense of human rights. Because the Nigerian government refused Agbakoba permission to leave the country, his wife was due to receive the prize on his behalf. - Peace Prize for Nigerian Rights Activist, Agence France Press, Sept. 2, 1996

9/12/96 — Shell held a meeting with the Rivers State Internal Security Task Force and certain groups in Ogoni but not MOSOP, so that the company could restart operations in Ogoni. "Our plan is to return to Ogoniland and clean up the pollution in the area, start community assistance projects, take stock of our facilities and when the time is right, start production again." said Egbert Imomoh, General Manager of Shell"s Eastern Division. Documents revealed that this initiative is being called the "Ogoni People Pacification Programme". MOSOP accused Shell of employing "divide-and-rule tactics," by choosing to speak to "certain hand-picked members of the community, "stressing that the company "must initiate a process of dialogue with the true representatives of the community," (meaning MOSOP). Otherwise, any agreement reached would not be binding on all Ogonis. - E. Ibagere, Nigeria Shell Talks to Ogonis to Restart Work, Port Harcourt, Reuter, Nigeria, 1996, 11 September; IPS, Nigeria - Environment: Oil Firms Back Environment, 1996, 17 September

9/17/96 — The Nigerian Oil Producing Sector (NOPS), whose members include the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Agip, Elf, Texaco, Ashland, Chevron, Esso, Mobil, Pan Ocean Oil, and two private Nigerian firms, Dubril Oil and Consolidated Oil agreed to sign up to the mandate of the Niger Delta Environmental Survey but also to assist in its funding. - IPS, Nigeria - Environment: Oil Firms Back Environment, 1996, 17 September

9/17/96 — Despite earlier suggestions that the Clinton administration would impose strong sanctions against Abacha, in response to the executions of Saro-Wiwa and other activists, the recent official visit (August) of Rep. Bill Richardson to reopen discussions with Abacha suggested Washington was willing to offer kinder treatment instead of economic threats to encourage moves toward ending repression. - Editorial Desk, Speaking Softly to Nigeria, The New York Times, Sept. 17, 1996 at 22A.

9/19/96 — MOSOP reported that Joseph Kpakoi was arrested and tortured by the Internal Security Task Force. "Sources close to the family revealed that his torturers inserted sharp objects into both ears, broken (sic) his jaw bones and kicked and destroyed vital organs". Kpakoi died on 9/22. - MOSOP, Press Release, 1996, 4 October

10/2/96 — MOSOP accused Shell of paying N50,000 for signatures of Village Chiefs and Community Development Committees on a Memorandum inviting the company back into Ogoni. - MOSOP, Press Release, 1996, 2 October

10/11/96 — Cor Herkstroter, Chairman of the Shell Managing Directors admitted that Shell had been too secretive and had made mistakes to public opinion in relation to Nigeria and the Brent Spar. - R. Gribben, Shell Confesses to Misjudging Public Opinion, The Daily Telegraph, 1996, 12 October

10/15/96 — Residence and law chambers of Ledum Mitee, Acting President of MOSOP, raided by soldiers, telephone lines cut, documents, a fax machine and computer removed whilst his younger brother Batom was arrested. - MOSOP UK, Summary of events since October 1996; Feb. 26 1997, electronic correspondence

10/17/96 — The Nigerian Guardian reported how Shell had instigated a four year $39 million Ogoni Re-entry Plan, which aimed to initially restart production in Ogoni at 20,000 bpd, increasing up to 40,000 bpd. It was reported that Brian Anderson had approved the plan with the military two weeks before. - T. Adigun, Ogoni: Shell"s N3.12b Re-Entry Plan Faces Obstacles, The Guardian, 1996, 17 October

10/23/96 — Regarding community assistance to Ogoni, Brian Anderson admitted "I don"t think we did enough. At the time we could have done a bit more and we didn't but now I think we are doing what we have to." Community spending cuts Nigeria oil losses - Shell PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria, October 23, 1996

10/27/96 — In its Annual Report, Nigerian Committee for the Defense of Human Rights reported that Nigeria's human rights record was deteriorating . The report concluded: "Insofar as Nigeria remains under the jackboot of military autocracy, our people will not be able to enjoy the basic rights and fundamental freedoms they are entitled to enjoy under a representative and accountable government". - E. Ibagere, Nigerian Report says Rights Violations Worsening, Reuter, 1996, 27 October 11/1/96 - Shell's much publicised "sponsorship" of the Terabor Hospital aborted; troops of the Rivers State Internal Security Task Force stopped the celebration of New Yam Festival, an annual cultural event, in K Dere; Mr Saaloo Deekor, 78 arrested with members of his family for being in possession of a picture of Ken Saro-Wiwa. - MOSOP UK, Summary of events since October 1996; Feb. 26 1997, electronic correspondence

11/2/96 — 60 students of Kidi Commercial College, near Bori, arrested while jogging and accused of exercising in preparation for the anniversary of the execution of the Ogoni 9. - MOSOP UK, Summary of events since October 1996; Feb. 26 1997, electronic correspondence

11/7/96 — A Boeing 727, travelling from Port Harcourt to Lagos with 142 people aboard crashes into the jungle. All aboard, including Professor Claude Ake, are killed. The cause of the crash remains unknown - Reuters, Abuja, November 10

11/8/96 — Military raids on Ogoni students at the University of Port Harcourt. Uche Okwukwu, one of the Ogoni 19 lawyers was arrested and detained whilst an Ogoni driver, Mr Egerebu Nnaa was shot on the right shoulder by soldiers at Kira military check point. - MOSOP UK, Summary of events since October 1996; Feb. 26 1997, electronic correspondence

11/9/96 — Armed soldiers and mobile policeman raid more Ogoni communities and the number of detainees during the anniversary period rise to 46. - MOSOP UK, Summary of events since October 1996; Feb. 26 1997, electronic correspondence

11/10/96 — Armed soldiers and mobile policemen deployed to Ogoni churches with specific instructions to arrest church ministers that mention Ken Saro-Wiwa's name. Thousands of Ogoni defy heavy military presence to hold remembrance church services at designated locations. - MOSOP UK, Summary of events since October 1996; Feb. 26 1997, electronic correspondence

11/11/96 — Soldiers of the Rivers State Internal Security Task Force (RSISTF) raided Bane, the home town of executed MOSOP President Ken Saro-Wiwa and raped women. - MOSOP UK, Summary of events since October 1996; Feb. 26 1997, electronic correspondence

11/12/96 — Mr Barida Naakuu, an Ogoni young man, shot dead by the mobile police at Port Harcourt. - MOSOP UK, Summary of events since October 1996; Feb. 26 1997, electronic correspondence

12/4/96 — Mrs Baritogeh Naagbi died after a protracted illness resulting from the torture she received at the hands of the Internal Security Task Force during the visit of the UN fact-finding mission to Ogoni. This brings the death toll of the UN Team's visit to 3. - MOSOP UK, Summary of events since October 1996; Feb. 26 1997, electronic correspondence

1/1-3/97 — Troops reinforcement in Ogoni as 19 communities are raided by the troops. - MOSOP UK, Summary of events since October 1996; Feb. 26 1997, electronic correspondence

1/4/97 — Over 80,000 Ogonis celebrate the Ogoni Day at their various kingdoms in spite of the increased repression. 4 people received gun shot wounds whilst 20 people were arrested, tortured and detained. - MOSOP UK, Summary of events since October 1996; Feb. 26 1997, electronic correspondence

1/21/97 — Mr Luloo Feeghalo from Yeghe town in Ogoni shot dead by soldiers of the Internal Security Task Force at a military road block at Yeghi, near Bori. - MOSOP UK, Summary of events since October 1996; Feb. 26 1997, electronic correspondence

1/30/97 — A Port Harcourt High Court granted leave to the Ogoni 19 to apply for the enforcement of their fundamental rights and adjourned the substantive matter to 18 February for arguments. - MOSOP UK, Summary of events since October 1996; Feb. 26 1997, electronic correspondence

2/24/97 — Federal government of Nigeria approves the payment of the sum of 250,000 pounds compensation to the families of the Ogoni 4 whose murder provided the excused for the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and 8 others in November 1995. - MOSOP UK, Summary of events since October 1996; Feb. 26 1997, electronic correspondence

2/25/97 — A group of Shell shareholders files a petition with the corporation to publish regular audits of the company's social and environmental performance. The resolution seeks internal procedures for monitoring of these policies and specifically requests a report on Nigeria by the end of 1997. - Roger Cowe, Guardian 25/2/97 p16

2/25/97 — Two U.N. human rights investigators announce that they are unlikely to go to Nigeria after the government sent an "unsatisfactory" reply to their request to be granted access to the Ogoni 19, and Moshood Abiola, the jailed winner of the June 12, 1993 elections. - Reuters, Geneva, Feb. 25 Switzerland: Un Rights Envoys Denied Prison Access in Nigeria.

END

3/97


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