A Supreme Court on Friday has ordered the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of Nigeria Limited to pay a compensation of N30,288,681 to four communities in Delta State, over oil spillage incidents.

The four communities – Obotobo, Sokebolo, Ofogbene (Ezon Burutu) and Ekeremor Zion (Ezon Asa) – had, through some of their leaders, instituted separate suits against the oil company before the then Bendel State High Court in 1983.

A High Court in the then Bendel State had in a judgment on May 27, 1997, asked Shell to pay the sum of N4,095,085 to Obotobo; N13,278,306 to Sokebolo; N7,392,589 to Ofogbene (Ezon Burutu) and N5,522,701 to Ekeremor Zion (Ezon Asa). But Shell were dissatisfied with the judgement and took the case to the court of Appeal.

On May 22, 2000, the Court of Appeal in Benin City dismissed Shell’s appeal and affirmed the judgment of the trial court.
Once again, a dissatisfied Shell, further appealed to the Supreme Court.

The Justice John Fabiyi-led panel of the Apex Court dismissed the appeal filed by Shell on Friday holding that the appeal lacked merit, awarded N500,000 cost against Shell and in favour of each of the communities.

Justice Kumai Akaahs, who read the lead judgment, also held that the damages awarded in favour of the communities were not baseless.

Other members of the panel – Justice John Fabiyi, Clara Ogunbiyi, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and Chima Nweze – agreed with the lead judgment.

- See more at: http://bizwatchnigeria.ng/oil-spill-after-32-years-shell-will-pay-n30-million-to-four-communites-in-delta-state/#sthash.tCi8so9G.dpuf

Their is no hiding place for C.O.R.R.U.P.T.I.O.N in this administration.

Baba is already making waves in Nigeria for the past one week. Most institutions have felt his Godly touch, we d masses can feel their stuff after a very long period of hibernation. I just pray d touch finally get to d BH 'sector' of Nigeria

Aiye ooooo... After 32 years..... Hmmm

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http://bizwatchnigeria.ng/oil-spill-after-32-years-shell-will-pay-n30-million-to-four-communites-in-delta-state/#sthash.tCi8so9G.dpuf
Cc. Lalasticlala
Cc. Ishilove
Please do the needful!

This is no justice. Just N30million??..........these people deserve more. These are the issues NOSDRA and DPR should be dealing with, but instead.......

K

N30m for 4 communities...I mean,what are they going to do with that little amount

Justice at last. *Btw I'm gutted for Legends Pirlo and Buffon, they deserve more

how much is Giving them peanut. . . after plundering thier land..

I was expecting to see 30milla dollars and naira...I don't think that money is worth or at par with the environmental hazards the spill would pose...

Justice won today, though the money is way too small. The biggest betrayals still remains the politicians.

Na wa oo,Four communities to share d 30m?Chaiii,anyway its better late dan never.Hope d pple dat really need d money r d ones to actually get it sha!

Kid wey dem born when they agree to pay go don mature, marry and possibly get kids sef...

how much is Giving them peanut. . . after plundering thier land..

okay, hope they pay

Kelvyn7 come and check if your community is inclusive make I know how to plan my robbery...girls ain't smiling either

It has to be N30M in 1983 value. This judgement needs to clarified again. The payout should be about N14B in today's money.

I hope the communities are able to get those amounts adjusted to factor in differences in Naira value at the time the judgement was rendered and today.

Chai!!! My village nor dey inside o,,, dem jst park am give d ijaws

Thank God our Judiciary is experiencing the wave of Change. We expect more change like this