Around 4,000 Niger Delta residents can now sue Shell in the UK High Court over environmental pollution.The case, part of a decade-long fight for justice, will see the Ogale and Bille communities challenge Shell from February 13 to March 10, 2025.
They claim oil spills from Shell’s operations destroyed their livelihoods, damaged homes, and left thousands without clean water.Leigh Day represents the Ogale and Bille communities in a UK trial to determine the legal framework for their case against Shell.Shell allegedly delayed proceedings, denying responsibility for pollution.
Amnesty International criticized the delay, saying it worsened the communities’ suffering.AI’s Nigeria Director, Isa Sanusi, stated that Shell’s oil spills have permanently damaged land, water, and livelihoods.Sanusi stated that water contamination and other environmental impacts had severely affected the communities, even causing serious deformities in babies, according to APAnews.
In October 2024, the UK Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Nigerian communities in their pollution case against Shell. On December 6, a full trial was approved to proceed.“They deserve justice and proper remediation, and I hope this long-overdue trial helps provide it,” said AI Nigeria Country Director.Amnesty International, which has long documented the harm caused by Shell’s operations in the Niger Delta, is urging the company to engage in meaningful discussions with affected communities about its exit plans.
Amnesty International urged Shell to provide a full remediation plan, disclose cleanup efforts, and compensate communities for long-term harm.
