Royal Dutch Shell settles Nigerian human-rights abuse case for $15.5 million

11 June 2009

The relentless 13-year fight for justice for the execution of Nigerian author, poet and environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other protesters by Nigeria's military government in complicity with Royal Dutch Shell in 1995, finally came to an end this week, when the oil major agreed to settle out of court and pay the victims family $15.5 million.

Europe's largest oil company, which still has ongoing operations in Nigeria, was accused 14 years ago of aiding and abetting the then military junta led by General Sani Abacha of silencing Ken Saro-Wiwa and other activists, who were protesting against the environmental damage among other things, being caused by the oil major in the Niger Delta region.

Ken Saro-Wiwa led a non-violent protest against Shell for polluting the region's water and air as well as asking the military rulers to distribute the country's oil wealth to the poor.

Shell was not only accused of abusing the rights of the Ogoni ethnic minority, but also for colluding with the military government in punishing activists who spoke out about the wrong doings of the company.

Company officials allegedly helped to secure weapons for the Nigerian police and even actively took part in security operations in Ogoniland. Shell was also accused of, on one occasion, taking the help of the military to shoot at villagers protesting against the company laying an oil pipeline in their area.

The campaign led by Ken Saro-Wiwa forced Shell to wind up its operation in Ogoniland in the Niger Delta region in 1993.