suspected MOSOP activists were ransacked and destroyed. He stated his commitment to rid the communities of members and supporters of MOSOP. 9. The communication alleges that the Nigerian government has destroyed and threatened Ogoni food sources through a variety of means. The government has participated in irresponsible oil development that has poisoned much of the soil and water upon which Ogoni farming and fishing depended. In their raids on villages, Nigerian security forces have destroyed crops and killed farm animals. The security forces have created a state of terror and insecurity that has made it impossible for many Ogoni villagers to return to their fields and animals. The destruction of farmlands, rivers, crops and animals has created malnutrition and starvation among certain Ogoni communities. Complaint 10. The communication alleges violations of Articles 2, 4, 14, 16, 18(1), 21, and 24 of the African Charter. Procedure th 11. The communication was received by the [African] Commission on 14 March 1996. The documents were sent with a video. th 12. On 13 August 1996 letters acknowledging receipt of the communication were sent to both Complainants. th 13. On 13 August 1996, a copy of the communication was sent to the Government of Nigeria. th 14. At the 20 Ordinary Session held in Grand Bay, Mauritius in October 1996, the [African] Commission declared the communication admissible, and decided that it would be taken up with the relevant authorities by the planned mission to Nigeria. th 15. On 10 December 1996, the Secretariat sent a Note Verbale and letters to this effect to the government and the Complainants respectively. st 16. At its 21 Ordinary Session held in April 1997, the [African] Commission postponed taking decision on the merits to the next session, pending the receipt of written submissions from the Complainants to assist it in its decision. The [African] Commission also awaits further analysis of its report of the mission to Nigeria. nd 17. On 22 May 1997, the Complainants were informed of the [African] Commission’s decision, while th the State was informed on 28 May 1997. nd 18. At the 22 Ordinary Session, the [African] Commission postponed taking a decision on the case pending the discussion of the Nigerian mission report. rd 19. At the 23 Ordinary Session held in Banjul, The Gambia, the [African] Commission postponed consideration of the case to the next session due to lack of time. th 20. On 25 June 1998, the Secretariat of the [African] Commission sent letters to all parties concerned informing them of the status of the communication. th 21. At the 24 Ordinary Session, the [African] Commission postponed consideration of the above communication to the next session. th 22. On 26 November 1998, the parties were informed of the [African] Commission’s decision. th 23. At the 25 Ordinary Session of the [African] Commission held in Bujumbura, Burundi, the th [African] Commission further postponed consideration of this communication to the 26 Ordinary Session. th 24. The above decision was conveyed through separate letters of 11 May 1999 to the parties. th 25. At its 26 Ordinary Session held in Kigali, Rwanda, the [African] Commission deferred taking a decision on the merits of the case to the next session. th 26. This decision was communicated to the parties on 24 January 2000. th 27. Following the request of the Nigerian authorities through a Note Verbale of 16 February 2000 on the status of pending communications, the Secretariat, among other things, informed the government that this communication was set down for a decision on the merits at the next session.