Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa (October 10, 1941 - November 10, 1995) was a Nigerian author, playwright and environmental activist. He spoke out aggressively against the Nigerian military regime and the Shell Oil company for causing environmental damage in Ogoni lands. In a trial denounced by human rights groups, he was found guilty for alleged complicity in the murders of four Ogoni chiefs who were killed at a political rally in 1994. He was hanged by government forces along with eight others from the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (Mosop). These executions led to Nigeria's suspension from the Commonwealth.
