The UK High Court will begin hearings on February 13 in the legal battle between Shell and the Ogale and Bille communities in Rivers State, Nigeria, over oil pollution in the Niger Delta. This case marks a significant moment in the ongoing, decade-long fight for corporate accountability, as the communities seek justice for the environmental damage they claim was caused by Shell’s operations.
Shell Plc, a British multinational oil and gas company based in London, is Nigeria’s oldest energy company. The preliminary trial, which is expected to run until March 10, will address key legal questions ahead of a full trial concerning the allegations that Shell’s activities have led to severe environmental destruction. This destruction has left thousands of people without clean drinking water and ruined their livelihoods.
A statement released by Amnesty International on Monday titled “Nigerian Residents Take Shell to UK High Court Following 10-Year Fight for Justice” provided details of the case. Isa Sanusi, Amnesty’s Nigeria Country Director, said, “The Bille and Ogale communities have lived with the devastating impact of oil pollution for years.” The statement further noted that Shell, among other oil companies, exposed the communities to repeated oil spills that have permanently damaged farmland, waterways, and drinking water sources, making it impossible for residents to farm or fish.
The legal action, led by UK law firm Leigh Day, follows several years of delays. Shell had previously argued it was not responsible for the pollution, but on December 6, 2024, the UK Court of Appeal ruled that the case could proceed.
Sanusi emphasized the severity of the situation, pointing out that the contamination has harmed even infants, some of whom have been born with deformities. “These communities deserve justice and effective remediation, and I hope this long-overdue trial goes some way to providing it,” he said.
Amnesty International, which has spent over two decades documenting the environmental and human rights impact of Shell’s activities in the Niger Delta, is calling on Shell to take full responsibility. The group is urging Shell to work with the affected communities to develop a comprehensive plan for remediation, including details on clean-up efforts and compensation for those impacted.
As the trial approaches, this case is expected to set an important global precedent for holding multinational corporations accountable for environmental harm in foreign countries, according to the Amnesty International statement.
