Shell pays $15.5m in settlement of Wiwa vs Shell Case

After the report of the surprise cancellation of the case by Judge Kimba Wood, it was later reported that the plaintiffs were giving more time to gather more information on their case against shell as announced in a press release on June 3rd from the Center for Constitutional Rights, co-counsel on the lawsuit against Shell:

"Today, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the District Court decision dismissing the Wiwa v. Shell plaintiffs’ claims against Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, Ltd. (Shell Nigeria). The District Court had dismissed the case against Shell Nigeria on March 4, 2008, finding it did not have jurisdiction over the company because the plaintiffs had failed to establish that Shell Nigeria was doing sufficient business in the United States to justify trying them in U.S. courts. The effect of the appellate court decision is to permit the plaintiffs to seek further information to establish Shell Nigeria’s connections to the United States."

Information required from the plaintiffs was apparently received and today Shell has agreed to pay $15.5 to settle the lawsuit accusing the the firm of complicity in the executions of human rights activists in Nigeria.

Shell still insists it did nothing wrong and the settlement is part of a "process of reconciliation".

Malcom Briinded from Shell had this to add:  "This gesture also acknowledges that, even though Shell had no part in the violence that took place, the plaintiffs and others have suffered."

A great victory for the late Ken Saro-Wiwa's family and the rest of the other victims families. Some justice has finally been served.

BBC

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