Oil giant Shell is being sued in London for the second time in five years over spills in the Niger Delta.
Two communities are claiming compensation and want Shell to clean up their land.
Shell said it is at an "early stage" in reviewing the claims and that the case should be heard in Nigeria.
The Ogale community of about 40,000 people in Rivers State, on the coast of Nigeria, who are mainly farmers or fishermen, are some of the claimants.
Their case is being handled by law firm Leigh Day.
Spills since 1989 have meant they don't have clean drinking water, farmland or rivers, their claim says.
It points to a November 2015 report by Amnesty International which says four spill sites Shell says it planned to clean up are still contaminated.
The first court hearing is due on Wednesday at the Technology and Construction Court, which will determine if the claimants can can lodge a case against Shell's Nigerian business, known as Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC).
Clean-up plan
Amnesty's findings followed a 2011 report by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) which found water contaminated with oil by-products including benzene, thought to be a carcinogen. It suggested a clean up, but said a "sustainable recovery" of the area could take up to 30 years.
Shell says it has agreed a clean-up plan.
"In mid-2015 SPDC JV, along with the government, UNEP and representatives of the Ogoni community, agreed to an 18-month roadmap to fast-track the environmental clean-up and remediation of Ogoniland which includes a governance framework," it said in a statement.
The Bille community, who are mainly fishermen and are the other party to sue, claims Shell should be liable for "failing to protect their pipelines from damage caused by third parties", according to Leigh Day.
Theft
Pipelines in the area have been targets for thieves who steal crude oil and try to refine it locally. This has lead to more spills and damage though explosions.
"Both Bille and Ogale are areas heavily impacted by crude oil theft, pipeline sabotage and illegal refining which remain the main sources of pollution across the Niger Delta.
"Ogale is in Ogoniland and it is important to note that SPDC has produced no oil or gas in Ogoniland since 1993. Access to the area has been limited following a rise in violence, threats to staff and attacks on facilities," Shell said.
Settlement
But the communities say Shell pipelines lack the technology to detect and shut off leaks, whatever the cause.
Daniel Leader, partner at Leigh Day said: "It is scandalous that four years after the UNEP Report Shell is yet to clean up its oil in either Ogale or Bille. Our client's patience has now run out and we intend to force Shell to act since it is clear they have no intention of doing so on their own."
In January last year, Shell agreed to an $84m (£55m) settlement with residents of the Bodo community in the Niger Delta for two oil spills.
The same law firm, Leigh Day, said their 15,600 clients would receive $3,300 each for losses caused by the spills.
The remaining $30m would be left for the community, which Leigh Day said was "devastated by the two massive oil spills in 2008 and 2009".
That dispute began in 2011.
During the trial emails, letters and internal reports submitted to a court in London, and seen by the BBC, showed that senior Shell employees were concerned before the spill that Shell's pipelines in the area had reached the end of their lives and needed replacing to avoid danger to lives, the environment and the economy.
Two spills in 2008 affected about 35 sq miles (90 sq km) in southern Nigeria, according to the Bodo community which sued Shell.
Shell said at the time it "dismisses the suggestion that it has knowingly continued to use a pipeline that is not safe to operate".
BBC
Related story: Shell to pay 55 million pounds for oil spills in Nigeria
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Video - Nigeria startup creating custom emojis for smartphones
If you are an avid user of social media for conversations, chances are that conversations never quite feel complete without the use of smileys or emojis. Major smartphone brands recognize this and have these emojis built into their products. A Nigerian Start up has now created a unique set of emojis reflecting African characters and phrases to enable social media users on the continent communicate better in their everyday language.
Nigerian Football Federation accuses Sunday Oliseh of lying
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has apologized to Nigerians over the sudden resignation of Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh.
The NFF, in an official statement posted on its website Monday, assured Nigerians that it would not let the development affect the team's preparation for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
It said: "The NFF seizes this opportunity to apologize to Nigerians for the situation we find ourselves though not of our own making. We assure the teeming Super Eagles supporters that we shall patriotically remain committed to the success of the team.
"This is already evidenced by the swiftness with which we have reconstituted the coaching crew and received the assurances of the patriotism of the Super Eagles players who have vowed to fight for the Nigerian and spirit, and ensure that not only do we qualify for the African Nations Cup but also that our long term goals are not derailed.
"The NFF gives the foregoing assurances despite the circumstances which has arisen with the untimely resignation of coach Sunday Oliseh," the federation said.
The NFF accused Oliseh of lying about contract violations, unpaid wages and benefits to players and assistant coaches as reasons for his sudden resignation. The NFF also accused Oliseh of backing out of their agreement after collecting his salaries and other allowances.
"... .the decision (to resign) was taken unilaterally without discussion with the NFF or any of its officials, without giving the requisite 1(0ne) month as stipulated in his contract," it said.
The federation also claimed that Oliseh tore apart the team with his management style, sacking people at will and that if the NFF did not step in, all the senior players in the team would have dumped it like erstwhile captain, Vincent Enyeama.
"The coach virtually tore the team apart with his impulsive style of man management, if not for the way the NFF president and vice presidents handled the matter, his disagreement with erstwhile captain Vincent Enyeama would have seen all the senior players quit the Super Eagles," it said.
Premium Times
Relates stories: Video - Sunday Oliseh resigns as Nigeria Super Eagles coach
Nigeria Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh goes on youtube rant
The NFF, in an official statement posted on its website Monday, assured Nigerians that it would not let the development affect the team's preparation for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
It said: "The NFF seizes this opportunity to apologize to Nigerians for the situation we find ourselves though not of our own making. We assure the teeming Super Eagles supporters that we shall patriotically remain committed to the success of the team.
"This is already evidenced by the swiftness with which we have reconstituted the coaching crew and received the assurances of the patriotism of the Super Eagles players who have vowed to fight for the Nigerian and spirit, and ensure that not only do we qualify for the African Nations Cup but also that our long term goals are not derailed.
"The NFF gives the foregoing assurances despite the circumstances which has arisen with the untimely resignation of coach Sunday Oliseh," the federation said.
The NFF accused Oliseh of lying about contract violations, unpaid wages and benefits to players and assistant coaches as reasons for his sudden resignation. The NFF also accused Oliseh of backing out of their agreement after collecting his salaries and other allowances.
"... .the decision (to resign) was taken unilaterally without discussion with the NFF or any of its officials, without giving the requisite 1(0ne) month as stipulated in his contract," it said.
The federation also claimed that Oliseh tore apart the team with his management style, sacking people at will and that if the NFF did not step in, all the senior players in the team would have dumped it like erstwhile captain, Vincent Enyeama.
"The coach virtually tore the team apart with his impulsive style of man management, if not for the way the NFF president and vice presidents handled the matter, his disagreement with erstwhile captain Vincent Enyeama would have seen all the senior players quit the Super Eagles," it said.
Premium Times
Relates stories: Video - Sunday Oliseh resigns as Nigeria Super Eagles coach
Nigeria Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh goes on youtube rant
Britain appeals for 72-year old citizen kidnapped in Nigeria 1 year ago
Britain is appealing for information about a 72-year-old citizen abducted from a construction site in central Nigeria one year ago.
A statement from the British High Commission has David Priestly's Nigerian wife appealing that he is "a good husband and loving father" well respected in the Nigerian community for his good works during the 30 years he has lived in the West African nation.
The statement says Priestly's two children miss him terribly and are desperate for any information about their father.
It says nothing about a ransom. Kidnappings for ransom are common in Nigeria. Hostages are often released unharmed once money changes hands.
Priestly was kidnapped by armed men on Jan. 21, 2015, from Kwali, 60 kilometers (38 miles) southwest of Abuja, the capital in central Nigeria.
ABC
A statement from the British High Commission has David Priestly's Nigerian wife appealing that he is "a good husband and loving father" well respected in the Nigerian community for his good works during the 30 years he has lived in the West African nation.
The statement says Priestly's two children miss him terribly and are desperate for any information about their father.
It says nothing about a ransom. Kidnappings for ransom are common in Nigeria. Hostages are often released unharmed once money changes hands.
Priestly was kidnapped by armed men on Jan. 21, 2015, from Kwali, 60 kilometers (38 miles) southwest of Abuja, the capital in central Nigeria.
ABC
Ex-Interior Minister of Nigeria charged over fatal stampede
Nigeria's ex-interior minister has been charged with fraud over a botched recruitment drive, which resulted in stampedes that left 20 people dead.
Abba Moro led a scheme which encouraged young graduates to apply for jobs in the immigration ministry in March 2014.
Stadiums, which were being used as test centres, were overwhelmed by huge crowds of people turning up to apply.
Mr Moro has pleaded not guilty to his role in an alleged $2.5m (£1.8m) fraud, involving missing application fees.
There is a high level of unemployment in Nigeria, especially among young people.
Court papers filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) allege that more than 675,000 people were defrauded by the scheme, which required them to pay a $6 (£3.50) application fee to take the initial recruitment test.
The case has been adjourned until 2 March.
On 15 March 2014 deadly stampedes occurred at stadiums in the Nigerian cities of Abuja, Benin and Port Harcourt, as well as a school in Mina city, as people scrambled to apply for the new jobs.
Many Nigerians online have been commenting on the irony that a former minister in charge of the country's prisons is facing a lengthy stint behind bars if he is found guilty.
At the time, Nigeria's interior minister rejected calls for him to step down and initially refused to accept any responsibility for the disaster.
He blamed the officials in charge of the stadium for the deaths, as well as the job seekers themselves.
BBC
Related story: Video -16 feared dead in stampede at recruitment drive in Abuja
Abba Moro led a scheme which encouraged young graduates to apply for jobs in the immigration ministry in March 2014.
Stadiums, which were being used as test centres, were overwhelmed by huge crowds of people turning up to apply.
Mr Moro has pleaded not guilty to his role in an alleged $2.5m (£1.8m) fraud, involving missing application fees.
There is a high level of unemployment in Nigeria, especially among young people.
Court papers filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) allege that more than 675,000 people were defrauded by the scheme, which required them to pay a $6 (£3.50) application fee to take the initial recruitment test.
The case has been adjourned until 2 March.
On 15 March 2014 deadly stampedes occurred at stadiums in the Nigerian cities of Abuja, Benin and Port Harcourt, as well as a school in Mina city, as people scrambled to apply for the new jobs.
Many Nigerians online have been commenting on the irony that a former minister in charge of the country's prisons is facing a lengthy stint behind bars if he is found guilty.
At the time, Nigeria's interior minister rejected calls for him to step down and initially refused to accept any responsibility for the disaster.
He blamed the officials in charge of the stadium for the deaths, as well as the job seekers themselves.
BBC
Related story: Video -16 feared dead in stampede at recruitment drive in Abuja
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