President Muhammadu Buhari has authorised that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Attorney General of Federation and Minister for Justice alongside National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) for the country and on behalf of 350 communities in Delta and Bayelsa states affected by Bonga Oil spills of December 20,2011, to commence legal action against Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company,

The country is demanding for N884Billion as compensation for oil spillage that destroyed the affected communities.

Nigerian Government is also demanding for another sum of N495Billion as restitution and restoration of the devastation of the Economic Zone of the Nigeria territorial waters,and N50million as cost of this legal action.

Joined as co-defendants in the ensuing legal battle are,Shell Petroleum N.V, B.V Netherlandse International Indusrie-E Handel Maatschappij,The shell Transport and Trading Company Plc,and Royal Dutch Shell Plc who are all allied companies of Shell Nigeria Exploration and production Company. In an affidavit sworn to by a Deputy Director,Oil field assessment department of NOSDRA,Mr Akindele Olubunmi and filed before a Federal high Court Abuja, the Capital city of Nigeria by a Lagos lawyer,Barrister Awosika Dada Adekunle, the Deponent averred that he has the consent and the authority of, President Mohammadu Buhari,A A Malami SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and the Director General of NOSDRA to depose to this affidavit, stated that,the plaintiffs brought this Legal action for themselves in relation to damage and devastation done to the exclusive Economic Zone,Ecosystem,marine life,and the environment caused by Bonga crude Oil spills of December 20,2011.

The Nigerian Government alongside,NOSDRA are also suing in order to protect the interest of Fishermen and persons affected by the Bonga crude oil spillage numbering about 285,000 persons from 350 communities and satellite Villages with their consent to institute this suit.

Mr Olubunmi averred further that,around 20th December,2011,Shell in the course of their Oil and Gas exploration activities within OML 118 approximately 120 Kilometers off the coast of Guinea,the defendants export line linking their Float Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel at their Bonga Field deep offshore, which was supplying crude oil to a tanker (MV NORTHIA),ruptured and thereby spewed out crude oil into the Sea, the incident was reported to the Federal Government that same day through NOSDRA

The defendants admitted spewing out 40,000 barrels of crude Oil into the sea causing devastating and degradation of the aquatic life, Marine environment including the territorial waters of Nigeria along Niger Delta axis and destroy the sea beds and aquatic lives in the continental Shelf within the Nigeria exclusive Economic Zone. There were severe disruptions to communities,Persons,Properties and lives of people in the shoreline area as a result of the spill.

The plaintiffs,commissioned consultants and expert,in collaboration with other stakeholders that included,Nigeria Maritime and Safety Agency,Nigeria National Assembly Committee on Environment and Ecology to carry out the mapping area that suffered economic losses and damages.

Aftermath of all the investigations and in line with their statutory duties and Obligations,the plaintiffs notified the defendants of their decision to pay $3,600,191,206. representing compensation to the 350 communities and satellite Villages impacted by the Bonga Oil spill disaster and Punitive damage which is to be paid to the plaintiffs as sanction totaling $1.8Billion from the said sum to deter occurrence of such dastardly act

However, it was alleged that despite the facts that the defendants have processed and received insurance claims for the crude Oil spillage that occurred at OML 118 Bonga Oil Field on December 20,2011,the defendants have refused and neglected to pay compensation,Punitive damage and cost of restoration,restitution and redemption of the environment statutorily assessed by the plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs punitive compensation was adopted after the United States Supreme court decision of 25th June,2008 against Exxon Valdez in Wallings Versus Waillings and in line with international best practices as it has been seen in other climes like Equadorian court awarded $9.5billion against Chevron Corporation and most recently in the United States of America,British Petroleum in April 2011 settled and agreed to pay $20Billion oil spill at Gulf of Mexico to be share among various communities directly impacted by the disaster.

Consequently, the plaintiffs are now seeking the following reliefs from the court

An order directing the defendants to pay the sum of N712,837,858,788.00 to the plaintiffs as compensation to the affected communities

An order directing the defendants to pay the sum of N712, 837, 858, 788.00 representing administrative costs and fees to the consultants and experts engaged to carry out damage assessment.

An order directing the defendants to pay to the plaintiffs the sum of N495 Billion for restitution and restoration of the damage and devastation of the Nigeria territorial waters occasioned by the negligent conduct of the defendants

An order of the court directing the defendants jointly and severally to pay the plaintiffs N50million as cost of this legal.

action.

Meanwhile,based on an application filed and argued before the court by plaintiffs counsel Mr Dada Awosika,seeking the order of the court to serve court process on four of the defendants who are based outside the country,the presiding judge,Binta Murtala Nyako while adjourning the case to 6th of June,2016 for mention ordered that all the court process in the case should be served on,Shell Petroleum N.V,B.V Netherlandse International indusrie-e handel Maatschappij, the Royal Transcorp and Trading Company PLC and Royal Dutch PlLC

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/05/nigeria-demands-n884b-compensation-from.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

How far with MTN fine

Thumps up FG ! When the compensation is eventually paid, it should be channeled towards the development of the affected communities.
The country gave these multinational oil companies the conducive environment to do business, it is disheartening to see how they have abused that opportunity. Niger-Delta must and should be rebuilt.

Buhari dey find money like mad... . EYE shine pass touch

But how far MTN?? ?

What about the money Mr president has collected so far ?

British Petroleum paid US for the spillage hence Shell must pay to the last Kobo.

Africans are not their mumus.

BP set to pay largest environmental fine in US history for Gulf oil spill

BP will pay $18.7bn after the justice department and four states sued
Money will be divided among states and earmarked for cleanup projects

The 2010 disaster at BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig caused devastating pollution in the Gulf of Mexico.

BP has agreed to pay a record environmental fine of $18.7bn to settle legal actions brought by the US and several states over the fatal 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

The US justice department, along with the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas and Florida, all sued BP for damages not covered by the company’s earlier settlements with businesses and individuals harmed by the worst offshore spill in US history.

The settlement ends all litigation between BP, the states and the US government and allows the company to pay over 18 years. BP’s share price rose on the news.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/02/bp-will-pay-largest-environmental-fine-in-us-history-for-gulf-oil-spill

LadyExcellency:
British Petroleum paid US for the spillage hence Shell must pay to the last Kobo.

Africans are not their mumus.

BP set to pay largest environmental fine in US history for Gulf oil spill

BP will pay $18.7bn after the justice department and four states sued
Money will be divided among states and earmarked for cleanup projects

The 2010 disaster at BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig caused devastating pollution in the Gulf of Mexico.

BP has agreed to pay a record environmental fine of $18.7bn to settle legal actions brought by the US and several states over the fatal 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

The US justice department, along with the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas and Florida, all sued BP for damages not covered by the company’s earlier settlements with businesses and individuals harmed by the worst offshore spill in US history.

The settlement ends all litigation between BP, the states and the US government and allows the company to pay over 18 years. BP’s share price rose on the news.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/02/bp-will-pay-largest-environmental-fine-in-us-history-for-gulf-oil-spill

Madam let them know!

SeverusSnape:
How far with MTN fine

God always bless pmb, he knows how to fine those irresponsible internation company

Ayo001:
What about the money Mr president has collected so far ?

are u planning to steal the money?

Wailers will surely call this rubbish!!! Bitterness kills way faster than cancer

Very good. We just pray they haven't paid and some people stole the money. Anyone that stole such money deserves public hanging and target practice.

I think he is going to use the money from this fine to fix Niger-Delta abit

The company ain't paying shyte and there's nothing bubu can do.
Ask mtn

The should be asking for 884 billion dollars not naira. If this had happened in America, you for see heavy fine. Na our corrupt politicians and judges dey fall our hand

Is not like when they pay the money their would be any difference Our leaders would still spend all the money selfishly.

LadyExcellency:
British Petroleum paid US for the spillage hence Shell must pay to the last Kobo.

Africans are not their mumus.

BP set to pay largest environmental fine in US history for Gulf oil spill

BP will pay $18.7bn after the justice department and four states sued
Money will be divided among states and earmarked for cleanup projects

The 2010 disaster at BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig caused devastating pollution in the Gulf of Mexico.

BP has agreed to pay a record environmental fine of $18.7bn to settle legal actions brought by the US and several states over the fatal 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

The US justice department, along with the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas and Florida, all sued BP for damages not covered by the company’s earlier settlements with businesses and individuals harmed by the worst offshore spill in US history.

The settlement ends all litigation between BP, the states and the US government and allows the company to pay over 18 years. BP’s share price rose on the news.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/02/bp-will-pay-largest-environmental-fine-in-us-history-for-gulf-oil-spill

Exactly the story I wanted to remind us of.

Money good for US is also good for Nigeria!!

Some people need reminding that parade has changed gears!

Gone are the days when almost anyone could buy their way out of anything so easily!

Here's hoping that this does not end up on the negotiations table as though it were some collective bargaining of some sort.

We have been sold out so cheaply by our own for far too long!

Jesusloveyou:
are u planning to steal the money?

Hey Bro, where av you been, it's been long I sight your name here oo


Good one from PA buhari

omenka:
Exactly the story I wanted to remind us of.

Money good for US is also good for Nigeria!!

The money they are requesting is even too small for my liking because invariably, Shell will want to settle out of court through negotiation.

Depending on what amount the FG has in mind, I was of the opinion that they jack it up to $500 billion US dollar.

It is interesting to note that we have their assets to confiscate should the judgment favour Nigeria and the company refuses to pay.

It is time Nigeria engages Climate Change and Green Initiative campaigners to make it a global struggle.

Shell must pay.

LadyExcellency:


The money they are requesting is even too small for my liking because invariably, Shell will want to settle out of court through negotiation.

Depending on what amount the FG has in mind, I was of the opinion that they jack it up to $500 billion US dollar.

It is interesting to note that we have their assets to confiscate should the judgment favour Nigeria and the company refuses to pay.

It is time Nigeria engages Climate Change and Green Initiative campaigners to make it a global struggle.

Shell must pay.

These guys come act with so much impunity because they have already pocketed the will of our leaders to hold them to account with brown envelops. I followed the Gulf of Mexico spill case closely and kept asking myself, wouldn't the politicians that receive bribes from these people benefit even more if they turn down the bribes, put their foot down, and demand a proportionate fine for the environmental degradation that result from their activities of the IOCs??

Imagine securing a 15billion dollars compensation!! Everyone gets a slice of the pie, bigger than the lean envelops they receive, and there would still be more left to do some good work on ground! Why can't or leaders think along this line??

Frankly, sometimes, I envy the white man.