He and eight other Ogoni activists were hanged after a secret military tribunal found them guilty of the murder of four Ogoni chiefs by a mob.

The execution was directed by Nigeria’s then military ruler Sani Abacha.

Britain’s Prime Minister in 1995 John Major called it judicial murder and considered punitive measures with his then US counterpart Bill Clinton. 

South Africa’s recently elected President Nelson Mandela denounced Abacha as “an insensitive  frightened dictator  who used a kangaroo court to execute innocent men.”

Mandatory action by the United Nations Security Council was ruled out because of the danger of it being blocked by China and Russia.

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Returning from Abuja he says when Africa’s two giants stand and walk the rest of the continent  will follow suit.

ends intro

The media highlight of President Jacob Zuma’s visit to Nigeria was his host Muhammad Buhari accusing South African telecoms company MTN of aiding Boko Haram terrorist by failing to delist unused SIM cards.

Nevertheless, Zuma’s inveterately put a positive spin on his trip which included an address to both houses of parliament – something that’s not been done since then US President Bill Clinton 16 years ago.

Zuma says progress has been made in cooperation on trade and investment, defense and security, immigration, energy and mineral resources between the two countries.

The binational commission has been elevated to a presidential level.

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