Shell settles Wiwa case with humanitarian gesture

Shell today agreed to settle a court case in New York related to allegations in connection with the Nigerian military government’s execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and others in 1995, making a humanitarian gesture to set up a trust fund to benefit the Ogoni people. At the same time, the plaintiffs have dismissed all claims made in the litigation against Shell Petroleum NV, Shell Transport and Trading Company Limited and the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC). The settlement and other payments together total $15.5 million, which will provide funding for the trust and a compassionate payment to the plaintiffs and the estates they represent in recognition of the tragic turn of events in Ogoni land, even though Shell had no part in the violence that took place. In addition, they cover plaintiffs’ costs and fees. The trust fund will support initiatives in education, skills development, agriculture, small enterprise development and adult literacy. It will be governed by trustees who will be independent of the plaintiffs and defendants and responsible for delivering the projects. Image source: linke.cc. > Continue.

News selected by Covalence | Country: Nigeria | Company – EthicalQuote link: Shell | Source: Shell