KEN SARO WIWA

Ken Saro Wiwa, a literary icon and one of Africa's most acclaimed environmental activists, executed by dictator Sani Abacha on trumped up charges, triggering international outcry. 

In the gallows, the machine that was to execute him refused to function. It took five attempts for him to be executed successfully. His final words were: "Lord take my soul, but the struggle continues."

Witnesses who had been procured  by the state to testify against him later said they were bribed by Abacha's government and Shell Oil Company to bear false witness. Oil companies such as Shell colluded with ruthless African dictators such as Abacha to perpetrate corruption, environmental degradation and human rights abuses.

Abacha was one of the twentieth century's  most corrupt dictators embezzling public funds and abducting and executing dissidents. Fortunately he died before spending his loot. His family too has never  enjoyed  the ill-gotten wealth. They have spent most of their time in courts trying to stop the hunt and the seizure of their properties and billions. But African leaders are yet to learn. Many Abachas are still on the continent.