Abuja—The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has agreed to pay the sum of N45.9bn for the losses suffered by the Ogoni people in Rivers State, as a result of oil spills that ravaged their communities.
According to reports by Punch, the court endorsed the monetary compensation which was ordered by the Federal High Court 10 years ago.
The court instructed that the money should be paid to the communities through their lawyer, Lucius Nwosu.
Aham Ejelamo (SAN), Shell’s counsel, disclosed the company’s acceptance to pay before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court Abuja on Wednesday.
He also sought the court’s permission to pay the compensation through the Chief Registrar of the court.
After much argument, it was finally agreed that the money be paid through the lawyer to the Ogoni people.
Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court Lagos Division had on June 14, 2010 awarded the compensation in favour of the Ogoni people in a suit that was filed by them.
However, the Ogoni people waived the interest on the principal sum as a concession reached upon reconciliation.
