Falana made this known at the 84th posthumous birthday
lecture of Ken Saro-Wiwa in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

The senior lawyer, who along with Gani Fawehinmi, SAN,
defended Ken Saro-Wiwa and other MOSOP leaders said that they withdrew from the
proceedings when the special military tribunal frustrated them from tendering
vital material evidence in favour of the accused persons.

“In a desperate bid to exploit the oil resources without
control, Shell Petroleum Development Company was granted licenses by the
Nigerian State to import arms and ammunition into the country under the pretext
of protecting its assets.

“The weapons were later found in the hands of militant
youths as communities were instigated to attack and fight themselves. This was
done to divert the attention of the people while the oil-rich region was fully
exploited by Shell and other oil companies.

“When the divide and rule tactics of the multinational
companies failed to silence the Ogoni people, the Task Force led by Col. Paul
Okintimo took up the assignment of recruiting misguided militants to kill the
Ogoni 4.

“Hence, when the leaders were attacked and killed by the
youths, the soldiers who were present at the scene of the crime did not make
any arrests. The bodies of the deceased were taken away by the soldiers to an
unknown place.

“As soon as Col Okintimo informed the military authorities
of the killing of the Ogoni 4, the military governor of Rivers State, Col.
Dauda Komo announced that Ken Saro-Wiwa and other MOSOP leaders would be held
vicariously liable for the brutal murder of the Ogoni 4.

“The prejudicial statement was made by Col Komo before the
commencement of investigation into the dastardly act.

“The charge of murder filed at the High Court of Rivers
State against Ken and other MOSOP leaders was discontinued when the prosecutors
pointed out to the junta that the evidence was too weak to secure the
conviction of the Ogoni 9.

“On the orders of General Sani Abacha, a special military
tribunal was constituted for the trial. The tribunal rejected the vital
material evidence of the defence to pave the way for the conviction and death
sentences passed on the Ogoni 9,” he disclosed.