ogoni petition to nhrc

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PetitionRegardingOngoingForcedEvictioninOgoniland i

September25,2013

Prof.BemAngweExecutiveSecretary

NationalHumanRightsCommission

9AguiyiIronsiStreetMaitamaAbuja

FederalCapitalTerritory

DearProf.Angwe,

URGENT PETITION REGARDING FORCED EVICTION IN OGONILAND BY RIVERS

STATEGOVERNMENT

Wewriteurgently regarding the unlawful forced evictionofOgoni farmlands by the

Rivers State Government which has resulted in dozens of killings, forced

disappearances and the burning and looting of hundreds of houses of persons whoobjectedtotheRiversStateGovernmentsactions.

MembersoftheaffectedcommunitieshaveinstructedtheSocialandEconomicRights

ActionCenter(SERAC),togetherwiththeSocialDevelopmentIntegratedCentre(Social

Action), the Ogoni Solidarity Forum (OSF), and the Centre for Environment, HumanRights and Development (CEHRD), to file a petitionwith theNationalHumanRights

Commission(NHRC).Weseekanurgentinvestigationinto,adjudication,andawardofreparations for the actual and threatened violation of thousands of Ogoni families

fundamentalandhumanrights,includingtorighttolife,righttodignityandintegrityof

thehumanperson,righttoproperty,righttofairhearing,righttoadequatehousing/shelter,righttofood,righttowater,andrighttolivelihood,aswellastheOgonipeoples

rightstodevelopmentandwayoflife.

SocialAction,OSF,andCEHRDhavedocumentedtheviolationssinceMay2011when

theRiversStateGovernmentfirstsentgovernmentofficialsandaJointTaskForce(JTF)contingenttoforcefullyconductalandsurveyacrossavastportionofOgoniland.SERAC

intervenedaftertheNigerianpoliceshotandkilledoftwoyouths inZorSogho inan

efforttosuppressoppositiontothethenprospectiveforcedevictionandunlawfullandacquisition. SERACdid ontheground investigations and tried toengagewithRivers

StateGovernmentbeginninginAugust2011,throughvariouslettersofcorrespondence

andmeetings. InSeptember 2011SERAC filedsuit in the FederalHighCourtatPortHarcourttopreventthethreatenedforcedevictionandunlawfullandacquisitionand

protectthefundamentalhumanandpeoplesrightsoftheaffectedcommunities.

Evenwhilethematterwas pending incourt, the Rivers StateGovernment continued

with full impunity to clear largeportionsof farmlands belonging tomembers of theUeken,LuusueSoghoandKaanicommunitiesofOgoniland.Suchdisrespectfortherule

oflawisfurtherunderscoredbythefactthatthelandisnotbeingacquiredforanyvalidpublicpurpose.Rather,whatwassubsistencefarmlandthelifebloodofhundredsof

Ogoni families dating back since time immemorial is being developed into a

commercialbananaplantationforthefinancialbenefitoftheRiversStateGovernmentand,reportedly,aforeignprivateinvestorfromMexico.


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PetitionRegardingOngoingForcedEvictioninOgoniland ii

The River State Governments forced eviction and unlawful acquisition of Ogoni

farmlandshasbeenaidedbyrelentlesscampaignofviolenceandterrorwagedagainstall those who voice vocal opposition to the governments actions. More than thirty

people from the Sogho communitieswho unequivocally opposed the taking of theirfarmlands have been killed or disappeared by or with the complicity of Nigerian

securityforces,whichhavefailedtoconductanyinvestigationstodate.Inretributionto

theirrefusaltoallowthegovernmentsforcefultakingoftheirland,fromMaytoJuly2012,hundredsofhousesinSoghowereburnedordestroyedwithdynamiteandlooted.

TheentirepopulationofZorSoghofledfromtheircommunityforsixmonths.

Whetherornot theRivers StateGovernment is the direct sponsorof this terror, the

Governments failure to intervene to prevent the violence and protect lives andpropertymake it complicit.TheRiver State Governments continued forcedevictions

and taking of ancestral Ogoni farmlands incompletedisregard for the consequential

terrorandlossoflifedirectlyresultantfromitsactionsunderscoresthiscomplicity.Theprofferedpoliticaljustificationsfoodsecurityandjobcreationfallwoefullyshort.

Insupportofthispetition,weannexthefollowingadditionalinformation:

a. Memorandum in Support of Petition, including a statement of facts andcompilingevidenceofidentifiedrightsviolationsintheaffectedcommunities;

b. MotiononNoticefiledonSeptember23,2011in ChiefLuckyAgbe&Orsv.RiversState Government (FHC/PH/CS/556/2011) on behalf of the affectedcommunities(NB:thismatterwasstruckoutonJuly3,2012);

c. VideosonthethreatenedlandgrabproducedbyCEHRDinSeptember2011: Land grabbing and Militarization in Ogoni, available at

http://mediaforjusticenigeria.org/content/videolandgrabbingand

militarizationogoni;and Sogho Children Speak Out Against Land Grabbing, available at

http://mediaforjusticenigeria.org/content/soghochildrenspeakout

againstlandgrabbing;d. ReportKillingforBanana,publishedbySocialActiononApril23,2013.

InanticipationofapromptanddiligentresponsefromtheNHRCinlightoftheurgency

of the situation, SERAC, Social Action, OSF and CEHRD stand ready to offer further

informationtoassistintheinvestigation.Wecanalsoassistinarrangingvisitstotheaffectedcommunitiesandsettingupmeetings/interviewswith affected residentsand

communityleaders.Werespectfullyencourageyoutogiveusatleast48hoursnoticeto

ensureproperpreparations.Thankyouforyourpromptattentiontothisurgentmatter.

Yourssincerely,

MeganChapman CelestineAkpobari StyvnObodoekwe

SocialandEconomic SocialAction & CentreforEnvironment,

RightsActionCenter OgoniSolidarityForum HumanRights&Development

CC: CommunitiesofUekenandKorokoro(TaiLGA);LuusueSogho,ZorSogho,Barakaani Sogho, Teka Sogho, Akporo Sogho,Okwale, and Kaani (Khana LGA)


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PetitionRegardingOngoingForcedEvictioninOgoniland 3

MEMORANDUMINSUPPORTOFPETITION:

FORCEDEVICTIONINOGONILANDBYRIVERSSTATEGOVERNMENT

Submittedby:

SocialandEconomicRightsActionCenter(SERAC)

SocialDevelopmentIntegratedCentre(SocialAction)OgoniSolidarityForum(OSF)

CentreforEnvironment,HumanRightsandDevelopment(CEHRD)

25September2013

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 TheSocialandEconomicRightsActionCenter(SERAC),togetherwithSocial

Action,theOgoniSolidarityForum(OSF)andtheCentreforEnvironment,HumanRightsandDevelopment(CEHRD),bringthepresentpetitiononbehalfof

membersofnineOgonicommunitiesinRiversState:UekenandKorokoro(Tai

LGA);LuusueSogho,ZorSogho,BarakaaniSogho,TekaSogho,AkporoSogho,Okwale,andKaani(KhanaLGA).

1.2 Weseekanurgentinvestigationinto,adjudicationof,andawardofreparations

fortheactualandthreatenedviolationofthousandsofOgonifamilies

fundamentalandhumanrights,includingtorighttolife,righttodignityandintegrityofthehumanperson,righttoproperty,righttofairhearing,rightto

adequatehousing/shelter,righttofood,righttowater,andrighttolivelihood.AlsoimplicatedaretheOgonipeoplesrightstodevelopmentandwayoflife.

1.3 Thememorandumbelowoutlinesthefactsandevidencesupportingthispetition.

ItthenidentifiestherightsviolatedandpraysforreparationsfromtheNHRC.

2.0 SUMMARYOFFACTS

2.1 BetweenmidAprilandJune2011,theRiversStateGovernmentfirstsentsurvey

teamssupported by the JointTask Force (JTF) to forcefully survey farmlands

belonging tomembers of the nine affected communities. In the course of thesurvey, the teams cut and damaged crops and economic trees and JTF

intimidated and threatened community members who were present. Amongotherabuses,severalcommunitymemberswereforcedtositwiththeirhandsin

theair,staringintothesunforhours.Severalwomenwerethreatenedwithrape.

2.2 Itwasonlythereafterthatthepetitioningorganizationsandaffectedcommunity

members became aware of correspondence between the Rivers State

Government and traditional rulers of the Tai and Nyokhana kingdoms ofOgoniland regarding the Rivers State Governments intention to acquire the

farmlandsinquestion(seeExhibitA).Thesecommunicationsoccurredwithoutdueconsultationorconsentofthepersonswhosefarmlandsweretobeaffected.

In each of the affected communities, a series of community meetings and


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protests followed, during which the prospective takeover of Ogoni ancestral

farmlandswasnearlyuniversallycondemned.

2.3 ShortlyafteronesuchmeetinginZorSogho,acommunitythatdecidedtoopposetothe takeoveroftheir farmlands,police invaded the communityearlyonthe

morningofJune12,2011and,withoutprovocation,shotandkilledtwoyoungmenfromZorSogho:GotehKeenam(age20)andJohnEeneeDambani(age27).Although these killings were reported to the police, there was never any

thoroughinvestigation,andnostepsweretakentoprosecuteordisciplinethose

responsible. The autopsyreports for both youngmen, paid for bycommunitymembers,remaininpossessionoftheStateCriminalInvestigationsDepartment.

2.4 Following these first two violent deaths, SERAC conducted ontheground

investigations, met with community members, and tried unsuccessfully to

engage with Rivers State Government in August 2011 (see Exhibit B).Representedby SERAC,membersof all nineaffectedcommunities filedsuit in

September 2011 at the Federal High Court at Port Harcourt to enjoin the

threatened land acquisition and protect the fundamental humanand peoplesrightsoftheaffectedcommunities.Thismatterwasstruckoutofcourton3July

2012onjurisdictionalgrounds.

2.5 Even while the matter was

pending in court, the RiversState Government continued

with full impunity to takeoverandclearlargeportions

of farmlands belonging tomembers of the Ueken,Luusue Sogho and Kaani

communities. Such

contravention of the rule oflawisfurtherunderscoredby

the fact that the land is notbeing acquired for any valid

public purpose. Rather,what

wassubsistence farmlandonwhich hundreds of Ogoni

familiescultivateddozensofdifferentcropsasthesourceoftheirlivelihood,isbeingdeveloped into a commercial banana plantation, partly for the financial

benefitofaforeignprivateinvestorfromMexico(UniondeIniciativa,S.A.deC.V.).

Banana plantation on cleared farmlands belonging to

Ueken,KaaniandSoghocommunities,February2013


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2.6 The River State Governments forced

evictionandunlawfultakeoverofOgonifarmlands has been accompaniedby a

relentless campaign of violence andterror.Morethanthirtypeoplefromthe

Sogho communities that unequivocallyopposed the taking of their farmlandshave been killed or disappeared with

the complicity of theNigeriansecurity

forces, which in some circumstancesparticipated in the violence and in

others failed to intervene to protectvictims, prevent violence or, later,

investigate the killings leaving

families without opportunity forredress. Those killed are listed along

withthecircumstancesoftheirdeathin

ExhibitC.

2.7 BetweenMayandJuly2012,duringwhichmanyoftheabovedeathsoccurred,hundreds of houses and businesses in Sogho were burned or destroyedwith

dynamiteandlooted(seeExhibitD)andtheiroccupantsforciblyevicted.The

entirepopulationofZorSogho,thousandsinnumber,fledforsixmonths.Asidefrom those actually killed or disappeared during the violence, many other

communitymembersdiedasaresultofthenumeroushardshipssuffered.Forinstance,thebrotherofoneJennettMpim(ZorSogho)reportedthatshediedof

shockduringthisperiodoftime.2.8 Regardless ofwhether theRivers StateGovernment is thesole sponsorof the

mass forced eviction, killings, and destruction of homes and businesses, its

failuretointervenetopreventtheviolationsandprotectlivesandpropertyofOgoni communitiesmake it complicit.Moreover, its failure to investigate and

prosecute those responsible for the killings, disappearances, destruction ofproperty and mass forced eviction makes the River State Government

responsibleunderhumanrightslawfortheviolations.

2.9 TheRiverStateGovernmentscontinuedforcedevictionsandtakingofancestral

Ogonifarmlandsincompletedisregardfortheconsequentialterrorandlossoflifedirectlyresultantfromitsactionsunderscoresthiscomplicity.Thepolitical

justificationsofferedoffoodsecurityandjobcreationfallwoefullyshort.

3.0 ISSUEFORDETERMINATION

Whether the mass forced evictions in Ogoniland by the River State Government,

and the attendant killings and destruction of property, constitute

violations/threatenedviolationsofthousandsofOgonifamiliesfundamentaland

humanrights,includingtorighttolife,righttodignityofthehumanperson,right

toproperty,righttofairhearing,righttoadequatehousing/shelter,righttofood,righttowater,righttolivelihood,andtheOgonipeoplesrightstoeconomic,social

GraceMkaemue,motherofNyerema

Mkaemue,killeddurin thecrisis


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andculturaldevelopmentandtodisposeoftheirownwealthandnaturalresources,

asguaranteedbynumeroushumanrightsinstrumentstowhichNigeriaisparty.

4.0 SUBMISSIONSREGARDINGHUMAN&PEOPLESRIGHTSVIOLATIONS

a. MassforcedevictionsofOgonibytheRiverStateGovernmentconstituteviolationsofrighttoshelter/adequatehousing,righttofair

hearing/dueprocess,andrighttoproperty

4.1 ThetermforcedevictionisdefinedbytheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsinitsGeneralCommentNo.7asthepermanentortemporary

removalagainsttheirwillofindividuals,familiesand/orcommunitiesfromthehomesand/orlandwhichtheyoccupy,withouttheprovisionof,andaccessto,

appropriateformsoflegalorotherprotection.Membersoftheaffected

communitiesherehavesufferedatleasttwodistinctbutrelatedforcedevictions:(1)fromthefarmlandsseizedbytheRiversStateGovernment;and(2)of

memberstheSoghocommunitiesthroughthedestructionofhomes,businesses

andcommunityfacilitiesandtherelatedcampaignofterror.

4.2 ThefirstsetofforcedevictionsbeganwiththeRiversStateGovernmentsforcefulseizureandclearingoffarmlandsbelongingtomembersoftheUeken,

Kaani,andLuusueSoghocommunitiesduringthependencyofatleastonecourt

casechallengingtheprospectiveacquisition.Thistakeoveroflandoccurredwithoutanydueprocessoflawneitherbywayofcompulsoryacquisition

undertheLandUseActforanoverridingpublicpurposenorthroughvalidnegotiationandagreementtopurchasewithconsentofthecommunityor

affectedfamilies.Thefamiliesaffectedhavelostfarmlandthatwasusedfortheirsubsistenceformanygenerationsifnotsincetimeimmemorial.Thishashadnegativeimpactsontheirrighttofood,righttolivelihood,andpeoplesrightsto

developmentandwayoflife(describedfurtherbelow).

4.3 Thissetofforcedevictionsviolates,interalia,therighttopropertyandfair

hearing/dueprocessofthosewhosefarmlandshavebeenforciblyseized.Aviolationoftherighttopropertyprotectedinnumerousinternationalhuman

rightsinstrumentstowhichNigeriaisparty,amongthemtheInternational

CovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights(ICCPR)andtheAfricanCharteronHumanandPeoplesRights(AfricanCharter).TheselawstogetherrequiredtheRivers

StateGovernmenttodemonstrateavalidpublicneed/purposefortheacquisition,useappropriateproceduresprescribedatlaw,andpaypromptand

adequatecompensationtothosewhoselandwastobeacquired.TheRiversState

Governmentnotfailedtocomplywiththeserequirementsparticularlywithregardtodemonstratingavalidpublicneed/purpose.Worse,theRiversState

Governmenthastakenthelandbyforce,duringthependencyofalawsuitto

enjointhesame,whilesupportingoracquiescingtoacampaignofterrorandviolenceagainstthosewhoopposedtheseizureoftheirlands.

4.4 Thelackofproceduralprotectionsthatformpartofthepropertyrightsviolation

alsoamounttoseparateviolationsoftherighttofairhearing/dueprocessprotectedunder,interalia,theICCPRandtheAfricanCharter.


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4.5 Thesecondwaveofforcedevictionsresultedfromtheseriesofviolentattacks

fromMayJuly2012targetingSoghocommunitiesandcommunitymemberswhoresistedthelandgrab.Theseattacksinvolvedtheburning,dynamitingand

lootingofhundredsofhomesandbusinessesinSogho,alongwithatleasttwentyone(21)killingsorenforceddisappearancesofcommunitymembers.

Thesurroundingcircumstances,includingnighttimeattacks,andphonecallssayingthatvictimswerebeingeatenorburiedalive,indicateadeliberateattempttoterrorizefamiliesandcommunities.Thesetacticssucceededinat

leastoneentirecommunity,ZorSoghofleeingtheirvillageforapproximatelysix

months,duringwhichmorehousesandbusinesseswerelootedanddestroyed.Theconsequencesforaffectedpersonsincludehomelessness,trauma,lossof

property/incomeandnumerousrelatedformssuffering.

4.6 Thissecondwaveofforcedevictions,likethoseabove,violatetherightto

propertyandtherightfairhearing/dueprocessofaffectedpersons.Additionally,itviolatesaffectedpersonsrightstoadequateshelter/housingunderthe

InternationalConventiononEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights(ICESCR)and

theAfricanCharter1andtofreedomfrominterferencewithfamilyandprivatelifeundertheICCPR.TheRiversStateGovernmentiscomplicitintheserights

violationsbecauseofdirectparticipationbythepoliceaswellastheirfailuretoprotectandthentoinvestigate,prosecuteorpunishthosedirectlyresponsible.

b. Killingsandenforceddisappearancesconstituteviolationsofrighttolife

4.7 SinceJune2011,morethanthirtycommunitymembershavebeenkilledorhavedisappearedundercircumstancesthatcausetheirrelativestobelievetheywere

killed.Manyofthosekilledwereactuallyshotbypolice(GotehKeenamandJohnEeneeDambani)orelsebyyoungmenarmedbyoneMeneleeNzidee(MmeaNwaateyor)whowreckedhavoconSoghocommunitiesfromMayJuly2012

withthesupportand/oracquiescenceofthepolice.

4.8 Inatleasttwocases,familymembersofpeoplewhodisappearedwereledto

believetheirfamilymemberswerekilledinhorrifyingcircumstances.MaanyieBeegaaNlete(age25)waslastseenbywatersideinZorSoghoon27May2012.

Afterhedisappeared,hisfather,MaanyieBeegaaNathaniel(age65)received

callssaying,Yourboytastessweet.On13July2013,RaphaelNnaaLebe(age71)wascapturedanddisappearedfromZorSogho.Hisfamilymemberslater

receivedcallsthathewasbeingburiedalive.Neitherofthemensbodieswaseverfound.Thesameistrueforotherswhodisappeared/arebelieveddead.

4.9 Manyofthesedeathswerereportedorotherwisemadeknowntothepolice,buttherehasneverbeenafullinvestigationoranyprosecutionofthoseresponsible.

CommunitymemberspaidforautopsiestobedoneforbothGotehKeenamand

JohnEeneeDambani;thesereportsarebelievedtobeinthecustodyoftheStateCriminalInvestigationsDivision(CID).ThefatherofMaanyieBeeyaaNlete

reportedhisdisappearance/presumeddeathtotheDPOinBoriandthenagain

1InSERACv.Nigeria ,Communication155/96,theAfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoplesRightsreadArticles14,16,and18oftheAfricanChartertogethertofindanimplicitrighttoshelter.


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totheStateCID;howeverthepoliceneverresponded.WhenSERACfollowedup

on5June2013,theinvestigatorsclaimedtheyknownothingaboutthecase.

4.10 Thesekillingsorenforceddisappearancesincircumstancesinwhichthepersonispresumeddeadconstituteviolationsoftherighttolifeasprotectedbythe

1999ConstitutionoftheFederalRepublicofNigeria,theAfricanCharter,theICCPRandotherinternationalhumanrightsinstrumentstowhichNigeriaisparty.Thegovernmentisresponsiblefortheseviolationseitherbecauseofthe

directactionsofitsagentsortheiracquiescenceandfailuretointerveneto

protectpersonsduringaperiodofviolentcrisis.Alternatively,where(ashere)thegovernmenthasfailedinitsdutytoinvestigatesuchgravehumanrights

violations,itbecomesresponsibleunderhumanrightslawfortheviolations.

c. Failuretoinvestigateandmannerofkillingsanddestructionofhousesandbusinessesconstituteviolationsofrighttodignityofthe

humanperson(tortureandcruel,inhumananddegradingtreatment)

4.11 Particularfactsandcircumstancessurroundingthekillings,enforceddisappearances,andforcedevictionsalsoamounttotortureorcruel,inhuman

anddegradingtreatment(CIDT)inviolationoftherighttodignityofthehumanpersonprotectedundertheICCPR,theAfricanCharter,andtheUNConvention

againstTorture(CAT),allhumanrightsinstrumentstowhichNigeriaisparty.

4.12 Firstly,manyfamilymembershaveneverlearnedthefateorrecoveredthebody

oftheirlovedoneswhoweredisappearedandpresumablykilled.Accordingtoestablishedinternationalhumanrightslaw,thisamountstotortureorCIDTof

thefamilymemberswhoexperienceanguishduetocontinueduncertainty.24.13 Similarly,thephonecallstotellfamilymembersindicatingthatalovedonewas

beingeatenorburiedaliveareclearlyintendedtocauseanguishandterrorize

thesurvivingfamilymembersandmaybeevenintendedtofacilitatetheforcedevictionofthebroadercommunityofZorSogho.Suchdeliberateactsmustalso

amounttotortureorCIDTofthesurvivingfamilymembers.

4.14 Finally,underthecircumstances,theburningordynamitingofcommunity

membershomesespeciallywhensomanyoccurredatnightandwereaccompaniedbyviolenceandpartofabroadercampaignofterroralsoamount

totortureorCIDTofthoseaffected.ThisisinlinewithinternationalhumanrightsjurisprudencefromtheUNCommitteeagainstTorture.3

4.15 Thestatehasproactiveresponsibilitiestoprevent,investigateandremedytortureorCIDT.Wherepoliceorotherstateagentswereawareoftheongoing

violationsandfailedtopreventthem,theiracquiescencerendersthestate

2 The Human Rights Committee (HRC) has found just this circumstance to violate the family members right to

know, amounting to violations of Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Quinteros Almeida v Uruguay, HRC Communication No. 107/1981, 21 July 1983, 14.3

In lesser circumstances, the Committee against Torture foundthat the burning and destruction of housesconstitute, in the circumstances, acts of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.Dimitrijevic v

Serbia and Montenegro, CAT Communication No. 207/2002, 24 November 2004, 9.2.


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responsiblefortheviolations.Similarly,wherethepolicefailedtoinvestigate

andprosecutethoseresponsible,thestatebecomesresponsible.

d. Violationsofrighttofood,righttowater,righttolivelihood

4.16 Asadirectconsequenceoftheforcedevictionsandattendantrightsviolations,theaffectedcommunitiesaresufferingdeprivationsthatconstituteviolationsoftherighttofood,therighttowaterandrighttolivelihoodthathasbeenfoundto

beimplicitintherighttolife.

4.17 Manyofthosewhosefarmlandshavebeenforciblyacquiredweresubsistence

farmerswhocultivatedcropsinordertofeedthemselvesandtheircommunities.Anysurpluscropsweresoldatmarketsintheaffectedcommunitiesandwere

essentialtotheareasfoodsecurity.Thus,theseizureoffarmlandswithout

provisionofalternativefarmlands(asrequiredundertheLandUseAct)violatestherighttofoodofaffectedfamiliesandthebroadercommunity.

4.18 Runningthroughthecenterofthefarmlandsthathavebeenforciblyseizedisasmallriverthatwasanessentialsourceofwater,aswellasfood(fish)and

livelihood(sanddigging)forthesurroundingcommunities.Sincethelandshavebeenseized,clearedandthebananaplantationhasstartedoperating,the

surroundingcommunitiesaccesstothisessentialwatersourcehasbeencutoff.

TherearereportsfromKaani,theimmediatedownstreamcommunityfromtheplantation,thattheflowofwaterhasbeenreducedtoalmostnothing,indicating

thatthebananaplantationisverylikelydivertingthisimportantwatersourceforitsownpurposes.Thus,thestatesponsoredbananaplantationisviolating

thesurroundingcommunitiesrighttowater.4.19 Further,sometimeinmid2013,thebananaplantationoperatorstrespassedinto

communallandsbelongingtotheZorSoghocommunityandfilledinatleastone

fishpondfromwhichthecommunityusedtoharvestfish.Alongwiththisfilling,theoperatorsdugacanalthatchannelswatersfromtheremainingfishpondsto

theplantationanotherthreattothecommunitysrighttowaterandtofood.

Evidenceofsanddiggingaroundstreambedpassing

throughbananaplantation,February2013

RecentlydugchannelcarrieswaterfromZorfishpond

tobananaplantation


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4.19 Finally,implicitinalloftheabove,theforcedevictionsandattendantproperty

rightsviolationshavealsoaffectedthelivelihoodsofthousandsofcommunitymembersboththosewhofarmedandsoldtheirsurpluscropsandthose

(tailors,shopowners,barkeeps)whosebusinessplaceswereburned/dynamitedandinventory/equipmentlooted.WhenSERACvisitedthecommunitiesand

interviewedcommunitymembersinFebruary2013,mosttestifiedthattheyhavebeenpusheddeepintopovertyandhavenowaytostartover.Underinternationalhumanrightslaw,therighttolivelihoodisimplicitintherightto

life;4thustherehavebeenmassiveviolationsofaffectedpersonsrightstolife

andlivelihood.

e. ViolationoftheOgonipeoplesrightstoeconomic,socialandculturaldevelopmentandtofreelydisposeoftheirwealth/naturalresources

4.20 ThepresentforcibleacquisitionofOgonifarmlandsisonlythelatestinnumeroussuchacquisitionswithoutavalidpublicpurpose.Thesepast

acquisitionshavenotbroughtanybenefitstothepublicortotheaffected

communities,butratherthefarmlandshavebeenleftfallowortransferredtoprivatehands.ExamplesincludetheSchooltoLandFarmsinBoriand

Kpaa/Den;AgriculturalDemonstrationFarminTaabaa;NigerDeltaDevelopmentBasinAuthorityinKpon;RisonpalmLimitedinOkwale;NewTown

DevelopmentinNyokuru/BeeriinKhanaLGA;andNonwaFishPondand

SonghaiFarmLimitedinTaiLGA.Ofthese,onlythelastisstillfunctional.

4.21 Theaffectedcommunitiesfeelthattheyhavealreadylosttoogreataquantityoftheirancestrallandsduetosuchacquisitionsandenvironmentaldevastation

relatedtooilextraction.TheneteffectoftheresultinglossoffarmlandunderminestheOgoniwayoflifeandviolatestheirpeoplesrightsguaranteedunderArticles21and22oftheAfricanCharteronHumanandPeoplesRights.

4.22 Thesetworights,likeothersenshrinedintheAfricanCharter,attachtopeoplesratherthanindividualsandareenforceableagainsttheGovernmentbymembers

ofarecognizedpeople,suchastheOgoni.5Article22protectstheOgonipeoplesrighttotheireconomic,socialandculturaldevelopmentwithdueregardto

theirfreedomandidentity.Article21,meanwhile,protectstheOgonisrightto

freelydisposeoftheirwealthandnaturalresources,arighttobeexercisedintheexclusiveinterestofthepeople.Thisarticlealsoobligatesstateparties,such

asNigeria,toeliminateallformsofforeigneconomicexploitationsoastoenabletheirpeopletofullybenefitfromtheadvantagesderivedfromtheir

naturalresources.Finally,thisarticleprescribestheremedyforviolationsof

thispeoplesright:Incaseofspoliationthedispossessedpeopleshallhavetherighttothelawfulrecoveryofitspropertyaswellastoadequatecompensation.

4.23 TheRiversStateGovernmentsforcedevictionoftheaffectedcommunitiesfromtheirfarmlands,inlightofthepatternofpastacquisitionwithoutavalidpublic

interest/purposeandmassiveoildegradationofOgonifarmlands,infringeson

4

Indian Supreme Court, Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (2007) CHR 241, at page 22.5InSERACv.Nigeria ,Communication155/96,theAfricanCommissionrecognizedtheOgoniasapeoplewithinthemeaningoftheAfricanCharterbyfindingviolationsoftheOgonisrightsunderArticle21.


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theirwayoflifeespeciallywithregardtotheimportanceofsubsistencefarming,

useofforestsandriversforfoodandlivelihood.Assuch,itamountstoaviolationoftheOgonisrightstoeconomic,socialandculturaldevelopment.

4.23 Theforcedevictionfurtherinterfereswiththeirrighttofreelydisposeoftheir

wealthandnaturalresources.ThereportedparticipationofaMexicanforeigninvestorinthepurportedpublicprivatepartnershiptoestablishacommercialbananaplantationinlieuofsubsistencefarmingishighlysuspect,suggesting

thattheRiversStateGovernmenthasfailedinitsobligationtoensurethat

naturalresourcesbenefitthepeopleratherthanforeignorotherprivateeconomicinterests.Theremedyforsuchspoliationisclear:lawfulrecoveryof

thepropertyandadequatecompensationforthesuffering/harmscaused.

5.0 PRAYERS/REPARATIONSSOUGHT

Inlightoftheabove,thepetitionersprayforthefollowingandallotherreparationsthe

Commissionseesfittoorderunderthecircumstances:

5.1 ADECLARATIONthatthemassforcedevictionsoftheOgonicommunitiesbythe

RiverStateGovernmentconstituteviolationsoftheirrighttoshelter/adequatehousing,righttofairhearing/dueprocess,andrighttoproperty.

5.2 ADECLARATIONthatthekillingsandenforceddisappearancesofatleasttwentyonecommunitymembersconstituteviolationsofrighttolifeforwhich

theRiversStateGovernmentisaccountablebyitsdirectparticipation,supportand/oracquiescenceandfailuretoinvestigate.

5.3 ADECLARATIONthatthemannerofkillingsanddestructionofhousesand

businesses,andtheStatesfailuretoinvestigatethekillings/enforced

disappearances,constitutetortureand/orcruel,inhumananddegrading

treatmentinviolationofrighttodignityofthehumanperson.

5.4 ADECLARATIONthatthemassforcedevictionsanddevelopmentactivitiesontheseizedlandshaveresultedinviolationsoftheaffectedcommunitiesrightto

food,righttowater,andrighttolivelihood.

5.5 ADECLARATIONthatthemassforcedevictionsoftheaffectedcommunities

fromtheirfarmlands,inlightofbroaderpatternoflandgrabandenvironmentaldegradationacrossOgoniland,amounttoviolationsoftheOgonipeoplesrights

toeconomic,socialandculturaldevelopmentandtofreelydisposeoftheir

wealth/naturalresources.

5.6 ANORDEROFMANDATORYINJUNCTIONfortheRiversStateGovernmentto

returnthelandswrongfullyseizedfordevelopmentofacommercialbananaplantationtotheirownersinUeken,KaaniandLuusueSoghocommunities.

5.7 ANORDEROFMANDATORYINJUNCTIONfortheRiversStateGovernment,

whetherbyitselforthroughtheNigerianPoliceForce,toinvestigatethekillings,


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enforceddisappearances,anddestruction/lootingofpropertiesintheaffected

Soghocommunitiesinordertoidentify,prosecuteandpunishthoseresponsible.

5.9 ANORDEROFPERPETUALINJUNCTIONrestrainingtheRiversStateGovernment,whetherbyitself,throughitsagentsorhowsoever,fromacquiring

furtherlandsintheaffectedcommunitiesorelsewhereinOgonilandexceptinstrictestcompliancewithitsobligationsunderhumanrightslaw.

5.10 ANAWARDofN50millioningeneraldamagestothefamilyofeachpersonkilled

ordisappearedintheviolencesurroundingtheforcedevictionsintheaffectedcommunities.

5.11 ANAWARDofN20millioningeneraldamagestoeachindividualorfamily

whosehome,business,orotherpropertywasdestroyed/lootedduringthe

violencesurroundingtheforcedevictions.

5.12 ANAWARDofN10millioningeneraldamagesforeachindividualorfamily

whosefarmlandswereforcefullyseizedandcleared.


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ExhibitA.

CorrespondencefromTraditionalChiefswithoutCommunityConsulation/Consent


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ExhibitB.

LettertoHonourableCommissionerofAgricultureforRiversState


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Adamkue

Monday, Male,

18

Tornyiehadreturnedwithsomefriendstocheckonthings

inZorSoghoafteranAnglicanBishophadsentoutanSMSto

thecommunityurgingthemtoreturnhome.Whilewalking

town the main street towards a junction to meet the

AnglicanBishop,hewas shot inthe left side ribs,andwas

takentoPortHarcourttogotothehospital.Aftertwodaysthere,hedied.HisbodyisstillatthemorgueatUPTHand

the man who took him to the hospital has his death

certificateandaphotoofhimdeadinthehospital.

12. PiawaaNelson ZorSogho

13. Aluba Bari

Ndinee

ZorSogho

14. Warrytex

Abaasinee

ZorSogho

15. NaasaaNelson

Aworitesa,48

Nelsonwassickon27May2012andhadtostayinthehouse

despitetheattackonhisvillage;hewasbeatentodeathin

his home. His brother found him later in the day with

bruises/woundsalloverbody;buriednextday.

ZorSogho

16. Gift _________,

Female,17

She was killed by military when riding on back of okada

betweenZorandLuusueSogho;shotatmilitarycheckpoint

inearlyJanuary2013.Bodystillinmortuary

ZorSogho

17. Pastor S.M.

Lebara

On10July2012,Lebara(apastorandlender)leftLuusueat

6:30amtogoBarakaanitocollectmoneyfromamanthere;

whenhecrossedintoZor,hismotorbikewasmetbyamob

whocarriedhim and his bikeaway;bothdisappeared and

neverfound;matterreportedtopoliceinBoriandDPOand

areacommandercametoSogho;searchedforbody,butsaid

theycoulddonothingwithoutthebody.

LuusueSogho

18. MkpoMkii Hedisappearedon27May2012.HisfathersawpeoplecomeintotheyardandhitMkpowithclubsandcarryhimaway.

Hehasnotheardfromhimsinceandbelieveshissonisdead.

LuusueSogho

19. NobleKinanee Killed by hotpetrolinEleme by youths whohad followed

himoutofthecommunity.

LuusueSogho

20. FemiBinah Killedon20August2012inTekaSoghobyastraybullet TekaSogho

21. Ndiwaa B

Nnaa

Killed on 28 July 2012 by a spray of bullets from an

unknownuniformedmanatherresidenceinTekaSogho

TekaSogho

22. Shadwack Pri

Akeegbo

Killedbyastraybulletwhichstruckhimashewasworking

inhisfarmwherehefledtoescapetheviolence,diedfrom

uncontrollablebleeding

TekaSogho

23. Mr. Abel Nke

eeh

Abducted by uniformedmen on route from home to Bori,

presumeddead

TekaSogho

24. Mrs.AbelNke

eeh

Abducted by uniformedmen on route from home toBori,

presumeddead

TekaSogho

25. Mr.HarrisonB

Taabere

Killedon24June2012byasprayofbulletsfromuniformed

men,ashewastryingtofleetheviolence

TekaSogho

26. CeciliaTeedu Killedbysprayofbulletson28August2012whilereturning

fromchurchservice

TekaSogho

27. Mr. Needam

Ndii

Killedbysprayofbulletson3June2012whiletryingtoflee. TekaSogho

28. Mr. Nyeghere

Nkpodee

Killedbysprayofbulletson4June2012whiletryingtoflee. TekaSogho

29. MercyJob Killedbyon24July2012andherbodywastakenaway TekaSogho30. Mr. Barinua Killedon28May2012 Barakani


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Nnordee Sogho

31. Master

Baridakara

Nnaa

Killedon31May2012 Barakani

Sogho

ListofPersonsWhoDiedduetoCircumstancesRelatedtoCrisisS/N NAME OF

DECEASED

DETAILSOFDEATH/INVESTIGATION COMMUNITY

1. Akpara Ka

Nnaa,Male,25

Akporo

Sogho

2. AwekaMnaa Akporo

Sogho

3. G.T.Eyo Diedinamotorcycleaccidentwhiletryingtofleethecrisis TekaSogho

4. NaadeKabari Diedfromhighbloodpressureasresultofcrisis TekaSogho

5. MaayieMbani TekaSogho

6. Mrs. M.Karawo

TekaSogho

7. MarkMbiabu Diedfromsnakebitereceivedinbushwherehefledduring

thecrisis

TekaSogho

8. RichardAdoo Diedfromsicknesswhilehidinginbushfor3weeksafterhe

fledfromhishomeduetothecrisis

TekaSogho

9. KabariPyanee TekaSogho

10. MosesMbani Diedfromsicknesswhilehidinginbushfor3weeksafterhe

fledfromhishomeduetothecrisis

TekaSogho

11. Rosanna

Ndolo

Diedinmotorbikeaccidentwhiletryingtofleethecrisis TekaSogho

12. NkoNgbh Diedwhenfellonstumpinbushafterfleeingfromgunshots

outsideofherhouse

TekaSogho

13. SerenaAluma Diedofstarvationbecauseshewasunabletoleaveherhouse

duringthecrisis

LuusueSogho

14. JennetMpim Diedon26July2012duetohealthproblemsstemmingfrom

thecrisis.On27June,whenthecrisisreturnedandtheyran

away,Jennetfellinapitandbrokeherleg.Theycouldnot

getheradequatemedicalcareinOkwalewheretheyfledand

shediedamonthlater.

ZorSogho

15. HelenBie Diedofhypertension.

16. MaryDorbu Died on 9 September 2012. Mary was very old, and when

theyranfromthehomeitwastoomuchforher.Shediedof

hypertensionandstarvationmonthsaftertheyfled.

ZorSogho

17. RufusKamaru Died around 1 June 2012.While they were running away

fromthehomeonMay27,Kamarufellandinjuredhimself.

His family helped him up and they continued running. He

puked blood when they picked him up, and he continued

pukingbloodforthenextthreedaysbeforehedied.Hewas

older,sothefalllikelyinjuredhim.

ZorSogho

18. MleueSuakpo Died around 16 July 2012.Mleuewas old, sowhen people

heardgunfireandstartedrunningawayfromtheirhomeson

July 11, Mleueopted tostay in the family homewhen her

daughter and grandchildren fled. She was found five days

later,havingdiedofstarvation.

LuusueSogho

19. Hellen Sarro Died of illnessbecause she couldnot get proper treatment Barakani


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Mkpae duringthecrisis Sogho

20. Mr. Jonah

Goteh Ngbo

Gbara

Died of acute paralysis on 2 June 2012 at Okwale town

havingbeendisplacedfromhishometownduetothecrisis

Barakani

Sogho

21. Mrs. Auwa

SaroMkpae

Diedofchronicstomachcomplicationson15July2012 Barakani

Sogho22. Mr. Barisua

Nkpagayee

Diedduetotheconflict Barakani

Sogho

23. Chief Tomas

Nkpae

ZorSogho

24. Elder Job

Nkpae

ZorSogho

25. Mrs. Nnwawii

Ndidinee

ZorSogho

26. Mrs. Barisi

Nbaragbon

ZorSogho

*** Additionally, many people suffered injuries, but did not die. For example, Chief

BarinekaNdeeofTekaSoghowasshotinthehandandarmbyJTF,buthewasabletoget

toahospitaltogetthewoundtreated.Similarly,AbelMbiabuwasshotinthekneebyJTF

duringthecrisis,andhassurvivedbuthasdifficultywalking.Also,Mr.JohnGabrielwas

machetedbeyondrecognition,butsurvived.


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ExhibitD.

SERACDocumentationofDestructioninSogho

OnFebruary1011,2013,SERACStaffAttorneysAndrewMakiandMeganChapmanvisitedthecommunitiesofZorandLuusueSoghoinordertoseethehomesandbusinessesthatwereburned/lootedduringtheMayJuly2012crisis.Thenumberof

housesandindividualstoriesweresonumerousthatitwasimpossibleinafewhoursto

seeallorkeepalist/record.AndrewMakisawtheruinsofapproximately6070housesinallandtalkedtoapproximately35affectedhouseholds(seelistbelow),and

estimatedasmanyas1,000housesandbusinesseswereburned/destroyedandlootedwithinZorandLuusueSogho.

Someofthehomeownerswereathomewhenthelootingbeganandranawaywhenmenarmedwithgunsbrokeintothehouse.Manyofthehouseswerelootedafter

communitymembersfledthevillage,leavinghousesempty.Fromhousetohouse,

nearlyallglasswindowswereshatteredandwoodpaneldoorshadbeenremoved.Manyofthehouseshadbulletholes.Somehouseshadbeendynamitedorotherwise

burnedtotheground.Thezincwasremovedoffsomehouses.Allmoveableitemsofvaluehadbeenlooted,leavingmosthouseseitheremptyorscatteredwithdebris.Most

housesremainunoccupiedtoday.

ChiefBobees

housewas

brokeninto/looted;

seebullet

holesinhis

frontdoor

(upperleft);

Rubbleof

provisions

storeowned

byMs.

Barinaria,

dynamited

(upperright)

TailorshopownedbyMr.and

Mrs. GodspowerNkuesi,allsewing


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machinesandequipmentlooted,buildingdestroyed(left)

Houselootedanddemolishedduringcrisis(upperright);SaturdayAmanyie,houselooted(shown

upperleft);alsowindowsbroken,doorsremoved,andboreholedestroyed

JohnNzidee,mudhutdestroyedleavingonlyzinc(upperleft);buildingpartiallydestroyedand

completelylootedatcenterofZorSogho(upperright)

Belowarethelistsof35affectedpersonswhowereindividuallyinterviewedduringthisvisit.Photosofthedestructionareavailableforallthesepersonsandothers.

1. Mr.GodspowerNkuesihistailorshop(runningsince2008)dynamited2. GodwinKpakolshopandbarbingsalon(10yearsrunning)destroyed3. JohnVeeduehotel(21yearsrunning)looted,totallyempty,noroof)4. AliceGbargbarageneralprovisionstore(runningfor3years)dynamited5. SundayNlerarestaurant(runningfor9years)looted


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6. BabaMousashoe/beltshop(standonroadside)looted7. EstherLetimMkirikoshopatthecornerofmainroadgoingintoZor(acrossfrom

bigtree),sellingdrinks/provisionsfor10years,looted/partiallyburned

8. PreciousBelehousedestroyedandlooted9. JohnMbaahousedestroyedandlooted10.LukeTabadeehousewasoneoffirstlootedduringcrisis(2amMay27)11.ChristopherT.Markhouselootedanddestroyed12.PatienceMpianwihouselootedanddestroyed13.CeciliaAsukpugihouseandborehole(pump)destroyed14.SaturdayMananyieson(Stanley)isSecretaryofthecommunity,windows,doors,

toilet,boreholealllootedordestroyed

15.JohnNzideemudhutdestroyedandlooted16.JohnAkekelooted,windows/ceilingdestroyed(gunshotsthroughceiling)17.ThankgodUete house/store looted,windows/doorsdestroyed, identifiedMoses

Babarieebaasheadofgangresponsible18.CosmosAmonikpohouselooted19.JennyBarinwaNdeegwewallsofmudhousehaveholes20.EeneeNkuehouselootedandcompletelydestroyedthroughuseofdynamite21.WoodfredYubedeedoors/windowsbroken,houselooted22.JacobKomadehouselooted23.Esther&InnocentDineehouseburned/looted24.WilfredAkinahouselooted25.SamuelAkpo&JollyAsigere,wellpoisonedbydeadbody26.AposdreNsamamwindowmaker,shoplooted27.LekaraKpaihouselooted/burned,dynamitedon27May201228.JohnNtaaghehouselooted29.ThomasAkinehouselooted30.NwakamaKpaihousedestroyed31.MarcusAkinehousebrokenintoandpropertylooted32.SamNkuehousedynamited33.Rev.PeterMkpenemansionlootedandcompletelydestroyedbydynamite34.MbubeAkerimansionlootedanddynamited,zinctakenfromoneroof35.DavidMkpeahouselooted36.ChiefF.M.NaasuehispetrolstationonEastWestRoadinLuusuewasvandalized,

allpetrolstolenandusedtohelpburnhouseson27May;hishouseinZorSogho

wasalsopartiallydestroyedandlootedon28May37.BarineMpimprovisionstorebrokenintoandlooted38.NkosiShadrachhouselooted/destroyed39.JohnNdegwenamedplaintiffinsuitagainstRSGincourt;housewasdestroyed,all

propertylooted

40.SamsonMbazahiscompounddynamited,looted;cropsdestroyed;chickensstolen;hissonsweldingshopdestroyedandallequipmentlooted

41.JennyNdegweherhomewaslooted,destroyedon27May2012;shesawmeninblackuniforms carryinggunsand ran away;all her cropscut down,the boreholewasclosedinsoshecannolongerreturn

42.EsterAunehousewaslootedandzincroofdestroyedon27May2012;aftershereturned,sheboughtnewzinctoputon,oneoftheboysworkingforMeneleNzidee

threatenedtocarryitawayifsherepairedtheroof


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43.FridayMaekaehouselooted,doorbrokendown/destroyedbysoldierswhocameonMay30(searchinghousetohouselookingforweapons)

44.Friday Adooehouse andmechanicsworkshopburned down,looted on27May;camebacklaterandstartedtorebuild;then27July,theycameagainandeverythingwasagainburned/destroyedalloveragain

45.ChiefJohnNgbogbarahousedestroyedbygunmen46.Mr.LekaraNsaaneehousesetablazeduringcrisis47.Mr.UebaraiMpianwihousedestroyed,importantitemslootedduringthecrisis48.Mr.EmmanuelObenyieNkirikahousedamagedduringcrisis49.Hon.Dr.JohnAmuehousedestroyedduringcrisis

ogoni petition to nhrc

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